The Government has provided further details about its plans to improve road safety. Transport ministers were in the Commons this week (January 8) to field questions from MPs regarding potential new road safety regulations.
The new Road Safety Strategy is proposing major changes to driving laws, including enforcing a minimum three to six-month learning period between theory and practical tests for learner drivers. Another proposal under consideration is the introduction of compulsory eyesight tests for drivers aged over 70, as well as cognitive tests.
Currently, drivers must be able to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres, but you don't have to prove this. Leicester South MP Shockat Adam raised some questions about the new raft of policies.
The MP, who is also a practising optometrist, asked: "The UK is one of the only countries in Europe that does not have mandatory sight tests until people have to renew their licence at the age of 70, so somebody could pass a driving test at 17 or 18, then not have an eye test until they are 70 years old. Does the minister agree that people should have a sight test every time their driving licence is renewed, which is every 10 years, to ensure that they are safe on the road?"
Transport minister Lilian Greenwood responded on behalf of the Government. She said: "No one should be driving on our roads whose eyesight does not meet the required standard.
"We have chosen to consult on eye tests for those over 70, but it would be good advice for everyone to have their eyes tested on a regular basis." Mr Adam also raised the issue of headlight glare.
He pointed to RAC figures that suggest there are 280 crashes annually caused by this problem. In response, Ms Greenwood said: "We have undertaken research on headlamp glare.
"I know that this is a growing problem, and I certainly recognise it as a driver myself. We are going to consider the outputs of the research that we already have and do further work, in addition to looking internationally at work on vehicle standards, but I absolutely want to take further action on headlamp glare."
Other changes in the Road Safety Strategy include lowering the alcohol limit for learner drivers and newly qualified drivers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from 80mg per 100ml of blood to around 20mg. The limit for all other drivers would be reduced to around 50mg, which is the current limit in Scotland.
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