Gov't mulls new tests for elderly drivers and lower drink drive limit

Currently, the possible penalties for "being in charge of a vehicle while over the limit" include three months imprisonment, a driving ban and a fine of up to £2500. Actually driving or attempting to drive while over the limit can double that jail time, and there is no limit on the fine imposed.

Also on the cards in the DfT's consultation is the use of new "preventative technology" to stop drink driving, which includes alcohol interlocks to stop a vehicle starting if the driver is over the limit.

Some convicted drink drivers could be required to have such a device fitted to their car before being allowed back on the road. This tactic is currently used in some European countries.

In a survey late last year, the RAC found that 82% of drivers supported the roll-out of tougher drink driving measures, after government figures showed that road deaths due to alcohol had risen 7% over the previous decade.

The government will explore the possibility of giving authorities "new powers to suspend driving licences for those suspected of drink or drug driving offences". The documents suggest these could include licence suspensions prior to a court trial.

Courts could also be given more power over how evidence is collected for drug drivers. Currently, those found over the limit via a saliva test at the roadside must be taken to a police station to undergo a blood test – but this can be found to sometimes be ineffective, due to inability to retrieve a blood sample or issues with lab backlogs. Instead, officers would be allowed to submit the initial saliva test in evidence or carry out a second saliva test instead of a blood test.

Learner drivers and education

The government is mulling measures to address the standard of driving by both young and old drivers.

For those aged between 17 and 24, a group that suffers 24% of all road deaths and serious collisions, it will consult on a mandatory three- or six-month learning period before a driving test can be undertaken. 

This is intended to help novices gain experience in a range of conditions, such as in wet or cold weather and at night.

Such a period is effectively already in force, owing to long waits for driving test slots in much of the nation. The average backlog for a practical test across Britain currently stands at 22 weeks.

However, the AA has told Autocar that a long-called-for policy to prevent new drivers from driving with a passenger, possibly for six months, “is a missed opportunity to save more lives”.

What’s more, the government wants to continue drivers' education throughout their lifetimes – and the proposals include bringing such learning into the national curriculum as early as primary school.

The government also wants to bring in a 'National Work-Related Road Safety Charter'. Covering road users from cyclists to HGV drivers, it would “reduce work-related road risk by promoting good practice, accountability and compliance with existing legislation”. This is expected to take the form of some kind of formal education, most likely an online course.

Elderly drivers

Drivers over 70, who also suffer almost a quarter of the nation’s road deaths, could face a mandatory eye test every three years.

This marks a move away from the current system, whereby drivers are asked to report themselves for a loss of vision – something disincentivised by the loss of personal freedom that could come as a result.

The government is also seeking guidance through the proposals on whether a cognitive test – which would assess mental skills like attention, memory and problem-solving – should also be implemented for older road users.

Harsher punishments

The government also wants to increase the punishments for those who break some of the most common road laws.

For example, those caught not wearing a seatbelt would be hit with penalty points as well as a fine. Currently just a £100 fine is given.

What’s more, points would also be given to the driver for those within the car not wearing a seatbelt, meaning that a driver could effectively be banned if all passengers are unbelted.

Those who drive uninsured are also being targeted by the proposals. Currently those caught are given three points and a £300 fine – but under the proposals, this would be doubled.

Penalties could also be brought in for those who make and use so-called ghost numberplates, which are designed to be invisible or unreadable to speed cameras.

Speed limits

The documents include a proposal for local governments to be given more power to lower speed limits in their jurisdictions.

Currently, evidence is needed as to why a limit should be reduced, normally resulting from a serious injury or a death occurring. But if the new laws come into force, councils could drop speed limits more easily.

The same red tape would be removed around the installation of cameras that spot drivers who jump red lights.

Future proofing

As part of the proposals, the government wants to create a new body named the Road Safety Investigations Branch. This would identify and analyse the key causes of collisions on UK roads and “inform prevention strategies”.

While the proposal is quite vague, the government suggested the findings from the new body would influence road designs, enforcement, education work and vehicle safety.