It’s emerged that older drivers could be forced to pay for planned compulsory eye tests
The Government says requiring older drivers to get an eye test will improve road safety (Image: Getty)
Keir Starmer was accused of “adding insult to injury” as it emerged older motorists may be forced to pay for eye tests to prevent being banned from the road. The Government sparked outrage after it announced that drivers over 70 will need to pass regular vision tests in order to keep their licence, with campaigners accusing them of blaming older people for traffic accidents while younger drivers pose the greatest risk.
But there was further fury last night when it emerged over-70s could have to pay for the tests themselves. Although people over 60 are entitled to a free test, this is not thorough enough to prove that a driver is safe, according to the Department for Transport. Dennis Reed, director of campaigners Silver Voices, said: “You will see older drivers forced off the road because they can’t afford the test even if their eyesight is fine. That is an outrage.”
Standard tests only measure a person’s ability to see clearly, but the test for drivers will also need to measure field of vision, which is the amount of space a person can see at any given moment.
Documents published by the Department state that options include “developing a bespoke test to assess if a driver meets the vision standards for driving” which could be administered “by opticians, the NHS or through bespoke test centres for driving eyesight tests”.
Ministers are considering providing the test for free, but the Department for Transport notes that this “will have a cost for government”. Another option is to “require drivers to pay for an eyesight test” or the cost being “split between government and the licence holder”.
A test could be required every three years.
Mr Reed said: “Pensioners are going to face a stricter test than other drivers, and then they will be expected to foot the bill for it too. It is adding insult to injury.
“There is going to be a huge increase in the number of people requiring a test and I really doubt the capacity is there to provide them.
“It’s another announcement from the Government that doesn’t appear to be thought through. There are various aspects of it that are impractical.”
Ministers are also considering requiring older drivers to undergo “cognitive testing”, as part of a plan to improve road safety.
The aim is to cut deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65%. Four people die in traffic accidents every day, with thousands more seriously injured each year.
The Goverment’s Road Safety Strategy also includes a consultation on lowering the drink drive limit in England and Wales, which has remained unchanged since 1967 and is currently the highest in Europe.
This will consider the introduction of alcohol interlock devices, which can be installed in cars and prevent engines running until the driver passes a breathalyser test.
Other proposals include suspending driving licences for those suspected of drink or drug driving offences.
And the Government will consider introducing a three or six month minimum learning period for new drivers, giving learners more time to develop their skills in varied conditions such as night driving, adverse weather, and heavy traffic.
