‘My parents are over 70 – new elderly driving rules aren’t strong enough’

Motorists have suggested that plans for new eyesight checks on older drivers don’t go far enough, with their own relatives still likely to be at risk. The new driving rules could see individuals over the age of 70 forced to take eyesight checks at every licence renewal.

However, individuals warn that some elderly road users who have decent eyesight are still at risk due to a range of other deteriorating factors. Individuals have warned that their parents are “dangerous” behind the wheel, but may pass new checks if their eyesight is above the threshold. Road users have therefore called for the inclusion of cognitive assessments, reaction time checks and a “stress-based driving test” to make sure individuals are up to scratch.

Reddit user @bluemangodub explained: “Been arguing with my parents the last year about this. They are 77/79. My dad should not be driving. All he has to do is lie and say he is fine to keep his [licence]. ‘Oh but we need the car’. I only drive to Tesco's, your dad only drives to the golf club’.

“Both have eye-sight issues, cannot turn around, awful reaction times, cannot handle anything unexpected, can see him physically unable to handle if someone cuts him up, or something out of the expected occurs, the old boy gets dizzy [due] to the bucketfuls of medication he is on. They should not only do an eye test, but a reaction test, the theory test and a stress-based driving test to see how they handle it.”

Another Reddit user claimed the new rules were “not enough” with their mother-in-law barely able to “move her legs” despite having okay vision.

One individual claimed family members had even “refused” to get into their 91-year-old grandfather’s car due to concerns over safety.

Meanwhile, Reddit user @SilverstoneMonzaSpa also called for tougher measures to protect older drivers and others from danger.

They said: “I just wish we would go further. My grandad had three strokes, amazingly survived and is relatively ok, but is still allowed to drive. He can't go three hours without a nap because he starts falling over, but can get behind the wheel and jump on the M1. I've seen him pull off my drive and it's f****** dangerous.

“He's way too stubborn to listen to any of the family, and honestly isn't there 100% cognitively anymore to understand for himself that he's a danger. His eyesight is perfect.”