Thousands of drivers in Scotland face being BANNED from road under major rule change
BLIND SPOT Thousands of drivers in Scotland face being BANNED from road under major rule change
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THOUSANDS of drivers in Scotland face being banned from the road under a major rule change.
Motorists over the age of 70 who fail compulsory eye tests could be forced to hang up their keys.
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Proposals being drawn up include a medical test for conditions such as dementia
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The move comes amid a planned shake-up of the UK's road safety laws.
It follows concerns by ministers over rising numbers of pensioners still on the road despite failing eyesight and other medical conditions.
Proposals also include introducing penalty points for passengers not wearing a seatbelt and harsher punishments for uninsured drivers.
The UK's licensing system was recently branded the "laxest in Europe" following an inquest into four deaths caused by drivers with failing sight.
According to the report, the UK is one of only three European countries to rely on self-reporting of eyesight problems affecting driving.
If vision plays a factor in any collision, it could result in a fine of £1,000 and three points.
New plans are being developed by the government which could see a new requirement for an eye test for the over-70s every three years when they renew their driving licence.
Proposals being drawn up include a medical test for conditions such as dementia.
The measures are expected to be announced in a new road safety strategy in the coming months.
In the UK, 1,633 people died in road traffic accidents last year, while nearly 28,000 were seriously hurt.
Drink-drive limit 'set to be slashed' in new road safety plans as drivers brace for 'biggest shake-up to rules in years'
Edmund King, president of the AA, told The Times: "It is in everyone's interests to tackle road safety and bring the levels of death and serious injuries down significantly.
"In other countries, such as Australia and Canada, the introduction of new measures to help young drivers have reduced death and serious injury from between 20 per cent and up to 40 per cent.
"Hence if the UK scheme saw similar reductions, it is estimated that at least 58 deaths and 934 serious injuries could be prevented each year."
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