New driving rules could see thousands banned, with new tests for over 70s
The major overhaul is also expected to include tougher drink-drive, seatbelt and insurance rules
Older drivers, drink drivers and drug drivers could all face tougher rules
The Government is planning a major overhaul of driving rules that could see thousands of people taken off the roads. The changes include more bans for people over 70 and people who drive while passengers are not wearing seatbelts, as well as tougher drink-drive laws.
According to The Times, the new laws are expected to reduce the drink-drive limit in England and Wales to 22 micrograms, the same level as in Scotland, from the current limit of 35.
It comes as serious casualties from road accidents have increased 20 per cent - with 28,000 badly injured last year. That was the highest since 2007.
The new plans could include a ban for all drivers over 70 who fail a compulsory eye test. The UK currently relies on older drivers reporting themselves if they believe they are not safe to drive. There could be new medical tests for older drivers in a bid to detect conditions such as dementia.
There could also be new drug-driving rules, such as making roadside tests using saliva admissible in evidence. And there could be criminal penalties for driving without insurance, and new rules to tackle plates that cannot be read by speed and ANPR cameras.
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A government source told The Times: "It cannot be right that one person is killed or seriously injured on our roads every 18 minutes. Just think of the impact on those people and their families. We cannot sit by and simply do nothing."
New rules are expected to be published this autumn ahead of a consultation before they are passed into law. Edmund King, the president of the AA, said: "It is in everyone's interests to tackle road safety and bring the levels of death and serious injuries down significantly."
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