North East: 28% ‘strongly support’ older drivers retaking their test

A senior coroner recently said the current rules are too relaxed, after investigating fatal crashes involving drivers with poor vision.

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00:00In the northeast, new driving rules for older motorists are being considered.

00:09These would require people over seventy to take regular eyesight tests to prove they

00:13are safe to drive.

00:15Right now drivers simply self-report any vision issues to the DVLA with no mandatory test.

00:20That has come under fire from a senior coroner who said the system is one of the most relaxed

00:25in Europe.

00:26He issued the warning after four people were killed in accidents involving drivers with

00:30poor sight.

00:31Officials are now looking into whether regular eye checks could reduce the risk.

00:35A full road safety strategy is expected later in the year.

00:39According to a YouGov poll, 28 percent of people in the northeast strongly support retesting

00:44older drivers, while 35 percent somewhat support the idea.

00:49But others say medical checks should be based on health, not age alone.

00:53The proposals remain under review while evidence is gathered.