Salford drivers over the age of 70 will have to have their vision checked every three years under the government’s new plans to reduce deaths and serious injuries on roads throughout the country.
Today (January 7), the government launched plans to overhaul driving laws in Britain – and says the strategy aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roads by 65% by 2035.
The new road safety plan is the first in over a decade and proposes to introduce new rules affecting older drivers, learner drivers and to combat drink driving.
The Department for Transport says it is consulting on bringing in mandatory eyesight and cognitive tests for older drivers, which will decide if they are fit to remain on the road.
In addition, a consultation on lowering the drink drive limit in England and Wales will be held. When breathalised, people must test under 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath – this is the most lenient limit in Europe and has remained unchanged since 1967.
Meanwhile, the new proposals could see learner drivers face a minimum learning period of more than three months to take their practical test after passing a theory test under the new rules.
Michael Wheeler,MP for Worsley and Eccles, welcomed the Government’s new road safety strategy and said constituents had voiced concerns about the current system.
He said: “Every serious collision represents a family changed forever.
“When I speak to residents in Worsley and Eccles, road safety comes up again and again.
“This strategy is about taking those everyday concerns seriously and not just listening but acting. It recognises that while people can make mistakes, the system around them should do far more to stop those mistakes turning into tragedies.
“By improving road design, vehicle safety and enforcement together, we can make our streets safer for everyone, including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and older residents who rely on their cars to stay independent.”
Further measures mooted aim to tackle illegal ghost number plates, uninsured driving and vehicles without a valid MOT, alongside the introduction of new safety technologies in cars and the creation of a dedicated Road Safety Investigation Branch to ensure lessons are learned when serious incidents occur.
Mr Wheeler added: “Safer roads mean safer communities. They reduce pressure on our NHS, support active travel, and give people confidence that their local streets are designed with their wellbeing in mind.
“This is a positive step forward, and I will continue working to make sure the needs of Worsley and Eccles are reflected as these plans are taken forward.”
