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Over 70s face UK driving bans if they fail eye tests

Over 70s face UK driving bans if they fail eye tests

The UK is one of only three European countries to rely on self-reporting of eyesight problems that affect driving, leading ministers to consider compulsory eye tests every three years for drivers aged over 70 and a driving ban for those who fail.
The shake-up could also see the drink drive limit in England and Wales to be lowered in line with Scotland's laws.
Under the plans being considered by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, the drink-drive limit in England and Wales could be cut from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms.
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This figure would be in line with Scotland, which cut its drink-drive limit in 2014, and the rest of Europe, where no other country has a limit as high as that in England and Wales.
Ministers are also considering tougher penalties for uninsured drivers and failing to wear a seatbelt.
Last year, 1,633 people were killed and almost 28,000 seriously injured in traffic incidents, and numbers have remained relatively constant following a large fall between 2000 and 2010.
A Labour source said: 'At the end of the last Labour government, the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads was at a record low, but numbers have remained stubbornly high under successive Conservative governments.
'In no other circumstance would we accept 1,600 people dying, with thousands more seriously injured, costing the NHS more than £2 billion per year.'
Meanwhile, the number of people killed in drink-driving incidents has risen over the past decade, reaching a 13-year high in 2022 and prompting concern that existing road safety measures are no longer working.
Other proposals are reported to include allowing the police to bring prosecutions for drug-driving on the basis of roadside saliva tests rather than blood tests as increasing numbers of drivers are being caught with drugs in their system.
The Labour source added: 'This Labour Government will deliver the first road safety strategy in a decade, imposing tougher penalties on those breaking the law, protecting road users and restoring order to our roads.'
The strategy is due to be published in the autumn, and all proposals will be subject to consultation.
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Ukraine's allies, after fears of sellout, signal hope for Trump-Putin talks
Ukraine's allies, after fears of sellout, signal hope for Trump-Putin talks

Reuters

time26 minutes ago

  • Reuters

Ukraine's allies, after fears of sellout, signal hope for Trump-Putin talks

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Five things we learned from Trump's meeting with Zelensky ahead of Putin summit
Five things we learned from Trump's meeting with Zelensky ahead of Putin summit

Metro

time28 minutes ago

  • Metro

Five things we learned from Trump's meeting with Zelensky ahead of Putin summit

US President Donald Trump has wrapped up a virtual meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders two days before his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The call on Wednesday served as the last opportunity – that we know of – for Zelensky and several European heads to speak directly to Trump ahead of his one-on-one with Putin in Alaska on Friday. Zelensky was not invited to join his American and Russian counterparts for the high-profile meeting in Anchorage because it is being held 'at the request of president Putin', White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday. Here are five takeaways from Trump's call with Zelensky and leaders including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO chief Mark Rutte: During a press conference after the call, Zelensky said that 'there should be a ceasefire first, then security guarantees – real security guarantees'. He added that Trump 'expressed his support for that'. The Ukrainian president said that 'sanctions should be strengthened if Russia will not go for a ceasefire in Alaska'. Merz echoed Zelensky's sentiment, saying that a ceasefire must be first in any agreement and that Ukraine needs 'robust guarantees'. A day before the virtual meeting, Trump again pushed for Zelensky to agree to give up territory to Russia as part of a peace deal. Zelensky after the call reaffirmed that he will not surrender the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine. He said he has 'no right' to cede his country's land and that 'my position is not changing'. 'Any issue which deals with the territorial integrity of Ukraine cannot be discussed just like that, without looking at our constitution and the will of our people,' Zelensky said. 'As to our principles, as to our territorial integrity, in the end, will be decided on the level of leaders. Without Ukraine (at the table), it's impossible to achieve.' Zelensky insisted that Putin 'definitely does not want peace' and that 'he wants to occupy Ukraine'. 'Putin cannot fool anyone,' said the Ukrainian president. Zelensky thinks that Putin is 'bluffing' about the impact that increased sanctions have had on Russia. 'Sanctions are hitting Russia's war economy hard,' he said. Starmer said that a peace deal must have security guarantees for Ukraine. 'The Prime Minister was clear that our support for Ukraine is unwavering,' said a Downing Street spokesperson. 'International borders must not be changed by force and Ukraine must have robust and credible security guarantees to defend its territorial integrity as part of any deal.' European leaders 'thanked President Trump for his efforts in bringing Putin to the table in pursuit of a ceasefire to end to the ongoing bloodshed', the Downing Street readout continued. European leaders who joined the call shared positive feedback around it and said that the next move lies with Putin. More Trending 'We are united in pushing to end to this terrible war against (Ukraine) and achieve just and lasting peace,' wrote NATO chief Rutte on social media. 'Appreciate (Trump's) leadership and close coordination with Allies. The ball is now in Putin's court.' EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on social media that the meeting was 'very good' that 'we will remain in close coordination – nobody wants peace more than us, a just and lasting peace'. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Home of 'Alligator Alcatraz' says human rights in the UK have worsened MORE: I used to be a Thomas Skinner fan – now he scares me MORE: Can you spot what David Lammy is doing wrong in this picture?

Mirror Daily Digest: Our top stories from Ukraine ceasefire 'viable' to inside 'cruel' Beckham feud
Mirror Daily Digest: Our top stories from Ukraine ceasefire 'viable' to inside 'cruel' Beckham feud

Daily Mirror

time28 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Mirror Daily Digest: Our top stories from Ukraine ceasefire 'viable' to inside 'cruel' Beckham feud

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