Mandatory eye test for the over 70s
Discussion
Coming soon to an over 70year old OAP near you, the requirement for an eye test when renewing their driving licence every three years.
I can't imagine anyone would disagree that this is a good idea and as a 75 year old I'm all for it but, as this is PH, does anyone think it's a bad idea?
I can't imagine anyone would disagree that this is a good idea and as a 75 year old I'm all for it but, as this is PH, does anyone think it's a bad idea?
As you say, it's hard to see a downside really, other than the cost, but I guess most people get there eyes tested at least the often anyway so it would just be a question of that data going to the DVLA.
I'm some some people will be up in arms about the government having more data about them, though.
I'm some some people will be up in arms about the government having more data about them, though.
It's a start. The biggest problem with people suffering from failing facilties and needing to give up driving is that it falls to their families to stop them.
This usually involves an accident or near miss.
One for the "unpopular opinions" thread perhaps but I think there should be no age limit for driving. But there should be regular tests. Annual for the first five years of driving and then every five years. Then after 70 annual again.
Tests should be expensive too. If you can't afford £200 for a licence you can't afford to properly maintain a car. One tank of petrol is a third of that.
People do a speed awareness course and come away saying they learned so much. Just think how the standard of driving would improve with regular tests.
This usually involves an accident or near miss.
One for the "unpopular opinions" thread perhaps but I think there should be no age limit for driving. But there should be regular tests. Annual for the first five years of driving and then every five years. Then after 70 annual again.
Tests should be expensive too. If you can't afford £200 for a licence you can't afford to properly maintain a car. One tank of petrol is a third of that.
People do a speed awareness course and come away saying they learned so much. Just think how the standard of driving would improve with regular tests.
Bobtherallyfan said:
Seems a sensible thing to do, but why not also take the opportunity to restrict young drivers to less powerful cars for the first year, like the French. Young drivers still cause the most accidents.
Perhaps that restriction should be applied to all drivers in their first year behind the wheel, whatever their age.Bobtherallyfan said:
Seems a sensible thing to do, but why not also take the opportunity to restrict young drivers to less powerful cars for the first year, like the French. Young drivers still cause the most accidents.
The insurance industry takes care of that without need for legislationsimonrockman said:
One for the "unpopular opinions" thread perhaps but I think there should be no age limit for driving. But there should be regular tests. Annual for the first five years of driving and then every five years. Then after 70 annual again.
Tests should be expensive too. If you can't afford £200 for a licence you can't afford to properly maintain a car. One tank of petrol is a third of that.
People do a speed awareness course and come away saying they learned so much. Just think how the standard of driving would improve with regular tests.
You want to reduce the amount of money people have available to maintain their cars???Tests should be expensive too. If you can't afford £200 for a licence you can't afford to properly maintain a car. One tank of petrol is a third of that.
People do a speed awareness course and come away saying they learned so much. Just think how the standard of driving would improve with regular tests.
And massively ramp up the number of test centres/testers.
And then, presumably, increase the number of police to catch all the people who ignore the tests? And the courts to deal with all those they catch...
Not so much unpopular as daft and unworkable...
The only problem I have with this is it does not solve any issue just creates an unnecessary tier of bureaucracy. The 71 year old person who cant read a number plate at 20 metres will still drive if they have had their licence removed or not if they were inclined to drive, people willing to break the law are willing to break the law.
The will have to set up a new system for opptitions to provide certificates and a new system to process them. This could be done simply BUT it wont.
I have just renewed my shotgun licence, wow what a change from 50 years ago, does it achieve two thirds of anything, no.
But the politicians and civil servants can say they have done something.
The will have to set up a new system for opptitions to provide certificates and a new system to process them. This could be done simply BUT it wont.
I have just renewed my shotgun licence, wow what a change from 50 years ago, does it achieve two thirds of anything, no.
But the politicians and civil servants can say they have done something.
Slow.Patrol said:
No problem with this.
Although I can see a lot of opticians not being too happy having to provide free eye tests. I know they get reimbursed by the NHS but mine used to grumble as I had free eye tests due to family history of glaucoma. I guess they don't get as much from the NHS.
Why will they be free ?Although I can see a lot of opticians not being too happy having to provide free eye tests. I know they get reimbursed by the NHS but mine used to grumble as I had free eye tests due to family history of glaucoma. I guess they don't get as much from the NHS.
HGV drivers have to pay for them.
Bill said:
You want to reduce the amount of money people have available to maintain their cars???
And massively ramp up the number of test centres/testers.
And then, presumably, increase the number of police to catch all the people who ignore the tests? And the courts to deal with all those they catch...
Not so much unpopular as daft and unworkable...
Wouldn't ramping up the number of testers create new jobs? A good thing. I don't know why we need test centres at all, the nature of driving is inherently suited to being mobile. And massively ramp up the number of test centres/testers.
And then, presumably, increase the number of police to catch all the people who ignore the tests? And the courts to deal with all those they catch...
Not so much unpopular as daft and unworkable...
I also don't see why it would require any change in any part of the legal system, the situation would be identical to today, where a person either holds a valid license or they don't. Yes, real criminals would probably get away with a bit more, but the vast majority would comply because the consequences of getting caught are too high. I'd look at it as a form of tax that makes the roads quieter and safer.
Regular testing for everyone would get my vote.
billbring said:
Wouldn't ramping up the number of testers create new jobs? A good thing. I don't know why we need test centres at all, the nature of driving is inherently suited to being mobile.
I also don't see why it would require any change in any part of the legal system, the situation would be identical to today, where a person either holds a valid license or they don't. Yes, real criminals would probably get away with a bit more, but the vast majority would comply because the consequences of getting caught are too high. I'd look at it as a form of tax that makes the roads quieter and safer.
Regular testing for everyone would get my vote.
If we test everyone every 3 years, that would be roughly 14 million tests a year. I also don't see why it would require any change in any part of the legal system, the situation would be identical to today, where a person either holds a valid license or they don't. Yes, real criminals would probably get away with a bit more, but the vast majority would comply because the consequences of getting caught are too high. I'd look at it as a form of tax that makes the roads quieter and safer.
Regular testing for everyone would get my vote.
I’m not sure eyesight is really the issue at 70+ year of age. Much more of concern is the cognitive ability/health of people, that can vary hugely from late 50’s in some people to some 90 year olds still sharp and switched on.
Ever increasing complexity in road systems, signals and in car technology are likely to be more of a factor in someone of age having an accident than eyesight.
I find it odd that you’ll have to have your eyesight tested but when it comes to questioning your mental capacity you can sign that off yourself…
Ever increasing complexity in road systems, signals and in car technology are likely to be more of a factor in someone of age having an accident than eyesight.
I find it odd that you’ll have to have your eyesight tested but when it comes to questioning your mental capacity you can sign that off yourself…
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