Older drivers across the UK face new tests under updated Government rules. The Labour government is set to publish its road safety strategy on Wednesday, with the changes expected to be the biggest since Tony Blair’s Road Safety Act in 2006.
As well as tightened alcohol limits and penalty points for passengers not wearing seatbelts, the plans are set to include a new test for all drivers over the age of 70. They will be required to have their vision checked every three years as the Government clamps down on road safety.
As reported by The Times, around 24% of the 1,633 drivers that were killed in road traffic accidents in 2024 were aged 70 or older. Meanwhile, 12% of all casualties in car crashes, including 28,000 that were seriously injured, involved older drivers.
Edmund King, the president of the AA, said: “A move to make eye tests for older drivers mandatory is obviously welcome, especially as the likelihood of crashes increases once someone is over the age of 70, and markedly shoots up over the age of 80 to a peak at age 86, with eyesight often a worrying factor.
“Eye tests are free for people over the age of 60 anyway and healthcare professionals advise them every two years given they can help with diagnosis of other underlying conditions.”
Last year, a coroner’s report warned there had been a 70% “collapse of drivers self-reporting the four major conditions of diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration” between 2019 and 2023. The UK is one of just three countries across Europe that relies on drivers reporting their eye issues with the authorities.
Lilian Greenwood, the local transport minister, said: “We know driving can be very important for older people’s wellbeing and help them to live independently, but we must also make sure everyone is safe on our roads. As the country’s older population grows, our plans will preserve personal freedoms where possible with action to save lives.”
UK drivers have also been warned that the Labour Government also plans to double fines from £300 to £600 for anyone caught without valid car insurance. There are reportedly around 300,000 uninsured motorists across the UK.
Local transport minister Lilian Greenwood said: “Our Road Safety Strategy sends a clear message: if you drive uninsured, you will face the consequences.
“Driving without insurance is not a victimless crime – it pushes up the cost of premiums for the law-abiding majority, and when uninsured drivers are involved in crashes, innocent road users are left facing an uphill battle to get the compensation they deserve.
“That’s why we are taking decisive action to remove uninsured drivers from our roads – to keep our roads safe, and ensure those who flout the rules are held accountable.”
