Government plans to cut drink drive limit - and introduce over-70s eyesight tests
The Government's new Road Safety Strategy could bring in radical changes to road laws...
Mandatory eyesight tests for elderly drivers and a lower drink drive limit could be brought in among a number of safety rules proposed by the Government.
Published today, the Road Safety Strategy aims to cut deaths and serious injuries on UK roads by 65% before 2035.
Other plans proposed under the strategy include enforcing a minimum learning period for learner drivers, and cracking down on illegal number plates.
New drink drive limit
Arguably the most major change proposed is a cut to the drink drive limit in England and Wales, with the current limit having remained unchanged since 1967. The legal limit of 80mg per 100ml of blood is the highest in Europe, and is likely to be lowered to correspond to Scotland’s stricter 50mg per 100ml of blood threshold. According to official figures, one in six road fatalities in 2023 involved drink driving.
The Department for Transport (DfT) will also consult on preventative measures for those convicted of drink driving, such as alcohol interlock devices. These devices stop vehicles from starting if alcohol is detected in the driver’s breath.
These devices are already in use in a number of countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, New Zealand and some parts of the USA. RAC research found that 53% of UK motorists said they would support courts being able to order anyone convicted of drink-driving to have ‘alcolocks’ fitted to their vehicles.
The DfT is also considering “new powers to suspend driving licences” for drivers suspected of drink or drug driving – implying that motorists could have their licences suspended before having a court trial.
Eyesight tests for drivers over 70
Drivers over the age of 70 may also be subject to regular eyesight tests in order to be able to drive on UK roads under the proposed changes. The Government will consult on introducing mandatory eye tests every three years, instead of the current system where drivers have to report vision issues themselves.
Minimum number of lessons for new drivers
While drivers aged 17-24 make up just 6% of licence holders, they account for almost a quarter of serious and fatal road incidents. In order to reduce such high figures, young drivers could be required to complete a minimum number of hours of driving lessons before they’re allowed to take their test under the proposed changes.
The suggested periods are three or six months, which the Government argues will give learners more time to practise in more challenging conditions, such as wet weather and night-time driving.
Some experts argue that these proposals for young drivers don’t go far enough. RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “There’s an opportunity for the Government go further to ensure the next generation of drivers are the safest they can be as they begin their driving careers.
“For instance, making black-box telematics insurance mandatory for at least the first year after passing the driving test could be extremely beneficial as it closely monitors behaviour at the wheel. This can even lead to lower motor insurance costs for the safest drivers.”
The AA lamented the absence of a proposed limitation on new drivers carrying same-age passengers in their car for the first six months of driving, calling it a “missed opportunity to save more lives”.
What else has been proposed?
The strategy also proposes plans to tackle the rise of illegal number plates, including ‘ghost plates’ used to evade ANPR camera detection, which, according to National Trading Standards, pose a “serious threat to counter-terrorism operations”.
Harsher punishments for those who break more common road laws, such as not wearing a seatbelt and driving without insurance, may also be on the horizon. Occupants not wearing a seatbelt could be hit with penalty points – and the strategy also proposes that the driver of a vehicle within which passengers aren’t wearing seatbelts can also be hit with penalty points.
Currently, drivers without insurance face a £300 fine and three points on their licence – but under the new proposals, this could be doubled.
Local authorities may also be given more power to lower speed limits and install speed cameras without having to provide evidence as to why they are needed.
A proposed new government body called the Road Safety Investigation Branch would be responsible for analysing collision trends and informing new strategies to reduce road incidents.
The strategy also introduces plans to enforce a number of mandatory safety technologies on vehicles, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. Such legislation is already in place in the European Union.
Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said: “Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities. For too long, progress on road safety has stalled. This strategy marks a turning point.
“We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone, from new drivers taking their first lessons to older motorists wanting to maintain their independence. The measures we are announcing today will save thousands of lives over the coming decade.”
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