Over 70s might be made to take obligatory eye checks each three years – and can be banned from driving in the event that they fail, it’s understood.
Ministers are stated to be contemplating “more durable” measures to deal with street deaths and accidents in England and Wales, which they consider have “remained stubbornly excessive below successive Conservative governments”.
Beneath the brand new proposals, first reported by The Times, the drink-drive restrict could be lowered to match the present guidelines in Scotland.
At present, the drink-drive restrict is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath in England and Wales, or 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
However that is anticipated to be lowered to 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath or 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, to match the stricter ranges already enforced in Scotland.
These caught not carrying a seatbelt might additionally obtain penalty factors for the primary time, whereas drivers discovered on the street with out insurance coverage might additionally face extra extreme penalties.
In addition to this, plans are presently being drawn as much as make these aged 70 or over take a obligatory eye check each three years once they renew their driving licence.
Those that fail this may lose their proper to drive below the proposals. It is understood that checks for different situations, similar to dementia, are additionally being thought-about.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is anticipated to introduce the modifications as a part of the federal government’s street security technique within the autumn.
Pic: Reuters
The measures are anticipated to be unveiled by Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, in a brand new street security technique as a consequence of be printed within the autumn, it’s understood.
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A Labour supply stated: “On the finish of the final Labour authorities, the variety of folks killed and severely injured on our roads was at a document low, however numbers have remained stubbornly excessive below successive Conservative governments.
“In no different circumstance would we settle for 1,600 folks dying, with hundreds extra severely injured, costing the NHS greater than £2bn per 12 months.
“This Labour authorities will ship the primary Street Security Technique in a decade, imposing more durable penalties on these breaking the legislation, defending street customers and restoring order to our roads.”
It comes after 1,633 folks died in street visitors accidents in 2024, with practically 28,000 victims severely injured.
