Labour could impose £85 test on older drivers from November
Rachel Reeves could impose driving restrictions on elderly motorists in the upcoming Budget with £85 test. The new Labour Party government and Chancellor is set to deliver her Autumn Statement and fiscal Budget next week on October 30.
Ahead of her landmark address, road safety organisation IAM RoadSmart has proposed a scheme that would allow GPs to prescribe mature driver assessments for older motorists. IAM RoadSmart has proposed an £8.5million pilot scheme to assess up to 100,000 older drivers. The initiative aims to address the growing concern over road safety as the UK's population ages.
Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at IAM RoadSmart, said: “This shows that these high premiums are becoming unaffordable particularly for those groups which will be disproportionately impacted. They could encourage young people to either break the law by driving uninsured, or give up on driving altogether. How can it be right that youngsters, often at the start of their careers and needing a vehicle to get to work, may be priced out of driving altogether."
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“Furthermore, there is the human cost of road traffic collisions caused to survivors and their families, as well as the cost to the Treasury - £43bn per year. By encouraging drivers to upskill and save on their premiums, countless deaths and serious injuries will be prevented.”
Lyes said: “Slashing VAT on motorcycle air vests will not only be saving riders’ lives but will also save money by increasing their uptake and reducing the cost to the emergency services.” And he said it was particularly concerning given that it is happening when the country has an ageing number of licence holders.
He said: “We’re concerned there’s nothing formally in place to help older drivers who want to keep their driving in check, and moreover, no process for GPs to be able to refer an older driver who they have serious concerns over their ability to drive. The country’s population is ageing, so there will be demand."