Labour's assault on older drivers is wildly misplaced
Disqualifying those who struggle to see from driving can only be a good idea. But has the Government's proposed road safety strategy been able to correctly identify the problem which it is seeking to solve?
It is worth setting out at the onset that Britain, according to the Department of Transport's data, is one of the safest countries to drive in Europe, with only Norway and Sweden scoring better than us.
If figures from 2022 are taken into account, in the absence of more recent numbers, then the UK also scores very highly against countries beyond Europe such as the US, Australia and Japan.
According to the RAC, while road collisions in 2024 resulted in an estimated 1,633 deaths, marking a 1pc increase from the previous year, the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) 'remained relatively stable at 29,537'. Total casualties of all severities declined by 3pc, falling to 128,375.
It isn't immediately obvious to me that road safety is a policy area which is crying out for reform. The time and effort which the Government is willing to expend on this could perhaps be better spent elsewhere (see: public sector pensions, Britain's debt problem, crime, planning red tape, the high tax burden, wasteful council spending – I could go on).
It is particularly curious that the Government focuses on whom it sweepingly defines as 'older drivers' – those over 70 years of age. I suspect many Telegraph readers would take umbrage with that classification.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
6 minutes ago
- The Independent
Kneecap rapper faces month-long wait over whether terror charge is thrown out
A member of rap trio Kneecap faces a month-long wait to find out whether his terrorism charge will be thrown out. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was once again greeted by hundreds of fans as he arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday for a three-hour hearing. Prosecutors allege the 27-year-old displayed a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year. During Wednesday's hearing, his defence team argued the case should be thrown out, citing a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought. Brenda Campbell KC told the court the Attorney General had not given permission for the case to be brought against the defendant when police informed him he was to face a terror charge on May 21. She said consent was given the following day, but that meant the charge falls outside of the six-month time frame in which criminal charges against a defendant can be brought. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said permission was not required until the defendant's first court appearance and that permission did not need to be sought in order to bring a criminal charge. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring adjourned the case until September 26, when he will rule on whether he has the jurisdiction to try the case. Hundreds of Kneecap supporters waving flags and holding banners greeted O hAnnaidh as he arrived at court alongside fellow bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh. Demonstrations in support of the rapper were organised outside the court building in London, as well as in Dublin. The Metropolitan Police imposed conditions limiting where the demonstration outside the court could take place, saying they were needed to 'prevent serious disruption'. A man was detained by police outside the court building because of a placard he was holding following the hearing. Surrounded by officers, he told reporters his hand-made sign made no reference to any proscribed organisations. O hAnnaidh was swamped by photographers as he arrived, with security officers taking more than a minute to usher him into the court building. Supporters greeted the Kneecap rapper with cheers as he made his way from a silver people carrier to the building. Fans held signs which read 'Free Mo Chara' while others waved Palestine and Irish flags before the rapper's arrival at court. Chants of 'Free, free, Mo Chara' could also be heard over a megaphone, which was repeated by the crowd. Mr O Caireallain and Mr O Dochartaigh sat at the back of the courtroom with three others as O hAnnaidh confirmed his name, date of birth and address to the court at the start of the hearing. In response to the Met imposing conditions on the protest, Kneecap described the move as a 'calculated political decision' that was 'designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome'. The court previously heard the 27-year-old defendant is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum was a 'wholly different thing'. O hAnnaidh, of Belfast, is yet to enter a plea to the charge and is on unconditional bail.
BBC News
7 minutes ago
- BBC News
Worcestershire police investigate St George flags on roundabouts
A police investigation has been launched into criminal damage after roundabouts in Worcestershire were painted with the St George's mini roundabouts in the county, including in Bromsgrove, were painted after similar decorations popped up in neighbouring Birmingham. Hundreds of flags have also been tied around lampposts, which Worcestershire County Council, run by a Reform UK minority, said would Reform UK councillor Karl Perks described the "illegal painting of red crosses on local roundabouts" as "acts of vandalism". He added the practice, which has been supported by some residents, was "costing tax payers money"."As the cabinet member for highways for Worcestershire County Council, I will be seeking criminal damages so that every other tax payer in the county does not pay for this," Cllr Perks Mercia Police confirmed they were investigating the daubing of roundabouts in Monday, a video of a man painting a red cross onto a mini roundabout in the town circulated on social the video, a police car is seen pulling up to the man for a few seconds before driving Richard Field from the West Mercia force said: "Painting roundabouts is not only dangerous to drivers and pedestrians, but it also amounts to criminal damage. "We are working closely with partners, including Worcestershire County Council, to tackle this issue and investigate where appropriate." In Worcester, landscape gardener Tom Conway told BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester he believed he had put up about 400 flags in the city."The morale in the community seemed low and, ever since we did it, people have driven past and shown nothing but love and happiness," he Conway added he thought the UK should be more like the United States, and fly the flag proud. 'Heated debate' On Tuesday, Perks said climbing up lampposts and attaching flags to them "may not be the best thing to do, mostly because it's dangerous and could cause damage".He suggested people could show their pride by flying the flag in their gardens, on cars, in home windows and on "community buildings where agreed by the whole community".He said, however, there was no specific plan to take the flags down. Ed Kimberley, who is a Labour Worcester City councillor for Warndon and Elbury Park, said he had been contacted by residents who disagreed with the flags."Is this a positive message of patriotism or is it something more sinister?" he said."If it is a message of positivity, then why is the debate heated?" Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
7 minutes ago
- BBC News
Isle of Wight Reform UK councillor resigns after four months
A newly elected Reform UK councillor has resigned his seat after coming under pressure over Thursday, Conservative councillor Paul Brading said David Maclean should "consider his position" after failing to attend three meetings of the island children's services said Mr Maclean had stepped down from the authority for "personal reasons".Previously, the party said he had been dealing with a serious illness in the family. Mr Maclean was not present at the 2 May by-election count where he won his Lake North seat or his initiation ceremony at County Hall. At the time, the Local Democracy Reporting Service was told by Reform's press office his absences were due to a family Thursday, the island's other Reform councillor, Caroline Gladwin, told the children's services meeting she would probably be taking over from him on the seized control of nine English authorities in May's local elections, winning 677 of around 1,600 seats then, newly elected Reform councillors have stepped down in other councils including Doncaster, Durham, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
