Andy Burnham sent older driver message as calls for new over 70s rules intensify

Andy Burnham has been sent a fresh message on older drivers as a new study shows support for mandatory eyesight testing for the over 70s. Earlier this year, the Labour Government consulted on mandatory vision checks for elderly motorists in a bid to boost road safety. A final decision has yet to be made, but a new poll from Tempcover, seen exclusively by The Express, has revealed that the idea would likely receive support from the UK public.

Seven in 10 (70%) of 2,000 UK motorists polled said they would back mandatory medical and eyesight checks for drivers aged 70 and over. According to the research, 52% said they support the plan unconditionally, regardless of the terms.

Meanwhile, 18% said they only support the plan if the Government provided subsidised transport for those who surrendered their licence due to the plan. If approved, over 70s are likely to have their vision checked once every three years at each driving licence renewal in order to stay on the road.

Speaking exclusively to The Express, Claire Wills-McKissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, said: “Our research shows most drivers back mandatory medical and eyesight checks for older motorists, but support is lower among older drivers themselves who feel strongly about preserving rural mobility and personal choice over when to hand in their keys.

“With around 180 over-70s handing in their licence every day, many families will find themselves driving a parent’s car to help out. It’s vital to check you’re properly insured before you get behind the wheel, because driving uninsured can mean hefty penalties and fines, even on a short journey.”

Unsurprisingly, opposition rises sharply among older drivers themselves, with pensioners not throwing their support behind the new rules. Two in five (39%) of drivers aged 65 or above said they were opposed to the new idea, compared to 20% across all other age groups.

One in five over-65s (20%) claimed that introducing mandatory checks would “unfairly target older drivers and destroy rural mobility”. Meanwhile, a further 19% said that the current system works and drivers should be free to decide for themselves when to surrender a licence.

Approval for the scheme is much higher among younger generations, with over three-quarters (78%) of 18-24s in favour of older drivers facing tests. This figure rises to 81% among 25–34s and an even higher 82% among 35–44 year-olds.

The DfT has previously said: “Regular eyesight tests not only help ensure drivers meet the vision standards but also play a vital role in helping to detect various other medical conditions and eye diseases at an early stage.

“Early detection allows for timely treatment, which can lead to better health outcomes and help older drivers stay on the road safely, for longer, than if left undetected and untreated.”