Calls for a maximum driving age which would see drivers 'in their 80s' forced to surrender licence
Older drivers have been put under the spotlight once again as new proposals to improve road safety could include the introduction of mandatory eye testing for those 70 and over. And now a safety expert has called for a maximum driving age to be implemented too.
It would force motorists to stop driving after a certain age instead of the current system which allows them to relinquish their licence when they no longer feel safe to drive. And a poll has shown one third of Brits would back the introduction of a cut-off age for drivers.
The government is already pursuing a crackdown on road rules which would include compulsory eyesight tests for drivers from the age of 70. Proposals, which also include harsher punishments for not wearing a seatbelt and for uninsured drivers, is yet to go to public consultation.
However, officials are not believed to be looking into a maximum cut-off point for licences. But campaigners believe this is the best way forward, reports The Express.
John Kushnick, Legal Operations Director at National Accident Helpline, has hinted that a cut-off should come into effect 'somewhere in the 80s'.
John said: 'Driving fitness should become a routine part of health assessments and everyday culture, with medical changes reported far earlier.
"A maximum driving age should also be introduced, likely somewhere in the 80s, due to the potential for rapid health deterioration.'
His comments come as a poll from motoring experts at Carmoola has previously suggested as many as one-third of Britons would back a new maximum driving age rule.
The survey of 2,000 motorists, conducted last autumn, found that 36 per cent believe there should be a maximum age limit to stay on the roads.
And 11 per cent of motorists were in favour of a maximum ban once road users hit the age of 70.
However, there was some support for an even lower limit, with eight per cent suggesting the cut-off should be set at 60 years old. Amazingly, as many as five per cent of respondents feel the maximum age to stay on the roads should be just 50 years old.
Previous data has revealed that millions of road users are still on the road later in life, despite concerns over health deterioration as individuals age. Data from the DLA found that as many as 5.6million older drivers above 70 were still on the road in 2020.
Compare the Market explained: "No, there's currently no upper age limit for driving in the UK. You can continue to drive into your 70s, 80s and even 90s – and beyond – so long as you don't have medical conditions that affect your ability to drive safely and you're not currently disqualified.'
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