The Bill actor Graham Cole says it’s wrong to blame older drivers for traffic accidents.
Keir Starmer has been told to “stop blaming older people” by TV legend Graham Cole after the Government threatened to ban drivers over 70 from the road unless they pass an eyesight test. The actor, who received specialist police driver training for his role as PC Tony Stamp in the The Bill, called the proposals “ludicrous”.
Mr Cole, 73, said: “I wanted the show and my part to be as authentic as possible, and it opened my eyes to the dangers on the roads and what our boys in blue have to deal with in the aftermath of an accident. These ludicrous proposals smack of an unfair approach to older drivers. Everybody wants safer roads, but this looks suspiciously like an unfair attempt to heap the blame for accidents on older people when we all know it’s younger drivers that are most at risk of being in or causing an accident.”
He appeared in 1,202 episodes of the hit police drama.
Ministers have announced mandatory eyesight testing for motorists over 70 and are considering “cognitive testing” too, as part of a new plan to improve road safety.
The aim is to cut deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035. Four people die in traffic accidents every day, with thousands more seriously injured each year.
But critics accused the Prime Minister, 63, of picking the wrong target.
Mr Cole said: “It’s absurd that the government sees fit to overlook my training and make me worry about whether I’ll be able to keep my licence and my independence, while letting young drivers hoon around with impunity.”
Alan Lees, spokesman for campaigners Later Life Ambitions, said: “Safer roads are better for everyone, young and old. But these plans give the distinct impression of a government fuelling unhelpful and untrue stereotypes by seeking to characterise all older people as potentially infirm and irresponsible.
“Older drivers are much more experienced on the roads and generally safer than their younger counterparts. And many older people, particularly in rural areas, rely on their car for independence, visiting friends and family, and being part of everyday life.”
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.
