driving restrictions

[Dave Wickham]

I have heard rumours that this idiotic labour government are looking at driving restrictions for over 70's. The need to pass an eye test I understand (even though I know of people much younger than me with worse eyesight), but there may be weight restriction of max 3 tonnes that an over 70 can drive. A 2019 Cali Ocean is 3080kgs I have read which would then make it illegal for me to drive when I reach 70. A VW Cali is relatively small and light compared to larger campers (i.e grand California) and motorhomes, so owners of those who are over 70 are snookered!! Any truth in this rumour??

 

[stoobthealien]

Statistically over 70s have worse eyesight so it makes sense - everything has to be evidence driven and if age combined with poor eyesight is causing people to be injured/ killed in a statistically significant way then it needs sorting. Most other countries do.

That aside - here are all the current consultations - you can see the eyesight one, change to motorbike licencing, minimum learning period etc but there's nothing on weights. If anything the move has been in the other direction given the higher EV weighs:

Policy papers and consultations - GOV.UK https://share.google/X7ZzkvKCbCJFbMIiX

 

[Betsycalifornia]

Introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers

Seeks views on the proposals to introduce mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers in Great Britain.

www.gov.uk

Consultation, can’t see anything about weight limits but I skimmed it. Respond online to the consultation.

 

[andyinluton]

I have heard rumours that this idiotic labour government are looking at driving restrictions for over 70's. The need to pass an eye test I understand (even though I know of people much younger than me with worse eyesight), but there may be weight restriction of max 3 tonnes that an over 70 can drive. A 2019 Cali Ocean is 3080kgs I have read which would then make it illegal for me to drive when I reach 70. A VW Cali is relatively small and light compared to larger campers (i.e grand California) and motorhomes, so owners of those who are over 70 are snookered!! Any truth in this rumour??

Although the press are making a meal of it, I don't think anything is really changing.

At present you need to be able to see to drive, all thats happening is that it will be a compulsory eye test rather than people admitting that they cant see well enough.

The weight restriction is 3.5tnne, at present when you get to 70 you need a medical to keep any 3.5tnne catagories on your license, doesn't actually look to be any change to that proposed.

 

[Aubisque]

Nothing ‘idiotic’ about this, unless you read the Mail/Express/Telegraph of course.

 

[KevH]

Nothing ‘idiotic’ about this, unless you read the Mail/Express/Telegraph of course.

The source of the 'idiotic Labour government' rumour perhaps?

 

[stoobthealien]

The source of the 'idiotic Labour government' rumour perhaps?

It'll be Reach PLC clickbait as usual

 

[Flower Power]

The same concerns are voiced here in Germany.... talk but no changes, so far. Same in Poland, the press is stirring big emotions. However, Italy already have implemented some changes for drivers over 70.... I read about them but forgot what is it... sorry, I am 72. All this is because of EU commission asked member states to implement changes/restrictions in a given time frame. So... changes are coming.... for sure... but each country at its pace and scope.

 

[FivetonesCali]

I’m sure all our insurance premiums will drop in this new safer world when implemented. Oh, wait…

 

[dspuk]

Inflammatory opinion incoming.

Issues with age and driving are an inverted bell curve IMHO. Lots of challenges with running out of talent when you’re young and running out of capability when you are old.

The weight stuff is so far proven to be a rumour started by the DF - If I recall correctly you were the chap who thought the Chinese were going to hack our buses to stop the swing bridge in it’s tracks, but for my 2p, I’d be happy when 70 to have a medical every 3 - 5 years to ensure I am still fit to drive. As is already the case in many sensible EU countries, bendy bananas and all.

The amount of geriatrics I see on the road driving slow and dangerously is equalled by the amount of youngsters driving like twarts. They tend to get better though. Old people don’t, they get worse.

The reality is there is an age where you should just stop driving. That can be 65, 70, 80 or 90, depending on the person, their health and their reactions and awareness.

Edit - AFAICT they are just talking about imposing a test on what the eyesight should already be. If you have worsening eyesight you are already supposed to say so, and get a test, just people don’t. And those people are mainly older ones (the links already shared have the stats evidence for this). The 3.5T extrapalation just looks like it is because there is a stricter test for those driving 3.5T or more, so more older people will fall into that category, even if their eyesight means they can still drive a car. I think for the DF though that explanation can be complex for the hard of understanding.

 

[FivetonesCali]

Oh, he’s the Chinese bus conspiracy theory guy? Explains it all

 

[donboon]

I’m well into the 70’s bracket but fortunately cataract surgery restored my eyesight to 20/20 which is a real blessing. I’m also a patient participant so I’ve raised the real issue of GPs being able to include the extra burden of medical test which is part of the government’s ongoing policies. There are roughly 6 million over 70’s with a driving licence according to Google so good luck with that exercise.
Originally the government only gave Specsavers the authority to examine people for this specific job but apparently any registered optician with the proper equipment can do it. Specsavers also said it would be free. Having said that I doubt the GP medical will be free.
According to my GP practice their information says the testing will be random. I can’t accept that because it favours discrimination and postcode lottery. For now this government is trying to look good but as usual the sums just don’t add up.

 

[SamSara]

Triple checked and there is nothing about weight. I like others totally agree with the medical requirement. On a personal level the reason I possess a California is an 80 odd year old chap with poor eyesight and dementia hit accelerate in his small lightweight hatchback coming out a car park, went across a road and through a shop where my fathers wife was volunteering. She was hit, crushed and killed. By the time it got to court he couldn’t attend due to infirmity! I am 56 and keep forgetting my reading glasses when I go shopping primarily due delusional views of my abilities; who’s to say a 72 year old man has an objective view of his failing capacity.

 

[Black Forest]

As with a lot of other changes, I would think "grandfather rights" would apply if it changes at all...

 

[chockswahay]

Triple checked and there is nothing about weight. I like others totally agree with the medical requirement. On a personal level the reason I possess a California is an 80 odd year old chap with poor eyesight and dementia hit accelerate in his small lightweight hatchback coming out a car park, went across a road and through a shop where my fathers wife was volunteering. She was hit, crushed and killed. By the time it got to court he couldn’t attend due to infirmity! I am 56 and keep forgetting my reading glasses when I go shopping primarily due delusional views of my abilities; who’s to say a 72 year old man has an objective view of his failing capacity.

I'm sorry to hear about your dads wife, but I don't understand the link with possession of a California

 

[SamSara]

I'm sorry to hear about your dads wife, but I don't understand the link with possession of a California

Sorry missed a bit of text, an inheritance

 

[chockswahay]

Sorry missed a bit of text, an inheritance

Ah that makes sense thank you. It seemed inappropriate to press the like button.

 

[dspuk]

Ignoring workload fallacies, anyone who objects to being tested clearly has something to hide. Eyesight is just one factor discussed here, I personally would welcome it to go a lot further and look at both reaction times and competency.

I was twice nearly taken out this morning on my motorbike by two old age drivers who would clearly have passed none of the above tests and seemed confused as to where they even were.

I have no objections and never will have.

As mentioned, this is all consultation, like the motorbike licence one, so if or when are two different concepts to any sitting government.

 

[Ocean100]

Whilst some of the crticism of old people is valid, there is a tendancy to group everyone in the same basket. My Mother is 95 and decided to hang up her driving gloves this year after 77 years driving (no tickest or accidents) not because she cannot drive anymore but because the world moves too fast. She started driving in a BSA 3 wheeler and used to drive from Norwich to Portsmouth to see my Dad on active service.
They have built a distributor road near us with roundabouts that have a slingshot effect and you cannot tell what traffic is going to do easily and have to react as if you're on starting grid and then go for it and take your life in your hands when on the roundabout (3 lanes around them) due to the speed of the traffic. Life shouldn't be all about the 30 year olds behaving as if they are not going to get old.

 

[chockswahay]

This is a hot topic for sure. As a nearly 69 yr old I am in the higher end of this spectrum. I think that an issue being overlooked here is an individuals reaction time and their physical ability to act fast and brake/steer/avoid or what ever is necessary. My eyes aren’t quite what they used to be (glasses take care of that) but for sure my reactions and speed will reduce as I get older. Personally I think there should be a health check and a competency check for drivers (say) every 5 to 10 years after a certain age…… 60 perhaps?

 

[dspuk]

Whilst some of the crticism of old people is valid, there is a tendancy to group everyone in the same basket. My Mother is 95 and decided to hang up her driving gloves this year after 77 years driving (no tickest or accidents) not because she cannot drive anymore but because the world moves too fast. She started driving in a BSA 3 wheeler and used to drive from Norwich to Portsmouth to see my Dad on active service.
They have built a distributor road near us with roundabouts that have a slingshot effect and you cannot tell what traffic is going to do easily and have to react as if you're on starting grid and then go for it and take your life in your hands when on the roundabout (3 lanes around them) due to the speed of the traffic. Life shouldn't be all about the 30 year olds behaving as if they are not going to get old.

Or 70+ years olds pretending they didn't?

For sure there is a middle ground but back to the OP and looking at the actual consultation the facts and figures speak for themselves.

The OP was about tonnage, which was incorrect, but interesting to see the further cans of worms open...

 

[PeteS]

I have an HGV licence and have had a medical every 5 years from the age of 45 until 60 when I stopped driving HGVs. Personally I think it is a good idea to have a medical. One of my medical picked up the onset of high blood pressure which may not have been picked up until too late. My GP always did mine and I think it was about £120 a time. There are places you can go to get a driving medical. I never used them but they were offering medical from £25. I also feel that an eye test should be carried out every 2 years for drivers. My optician recommends a test every 2 years plus if you are over 60 then it is free.