Mandatory eyesight checks for motorists aged over 70 are being considered under a new package of road safety measures aimed at cutting deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads. The proposals, due to be set out in full on Wednesday, could also include cognitive assessments for older drivers. Ministers say the intention is to improve safety without undermining the independence and wellbeing of an ageing population.
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The strategy sets ambitious targets, seeking to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries by 65 per cent by 2035, with an even steeper 70 per cent reduction for children under the age of 16. Official figures show that in 2024 nearly a quarter of drivers killed in collisions were aged 70 or above, despite this age group accounting for just 12 per cent of all car crash casualties overall.
Lilian Greenwood, the local transport minister, said driving plays a vital role in maintaining independence later in life, but stressed that safety must remain paramount. She said the first comprehensive road safety strategy in more than a decade would strike a balance between personal freedom and life-saving interventions, particularly as the UK’s older population continues to grow.
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Previous reports have suggested the measures could also toughen penalties for other offences. Drivers caught without wearing a seatbelt may, for the first time, receive penalty points, while those found uninsured could face harsher sanctions. Under the proposed reforms, upfront fines for such offences could increase to as much as £600, as the government looks to strengthen deterrents and improve compliance across the road network.
