The Andy Burnham government is mulling a shake-up for drivers over 70 every three years.
The Department for Transport is consulting on a potential move away from the existing system of self-declaration on eyesight criteria for drivers aged 70 and beyond.
It is considering making eyesight examinations mandatory for senior drivers when they renew their driving licence.
The consultation closed in mid-May with a promise of an update based on input three months after the closure – so that would be mid-August.
The government said it was considering “a number of options” that might “potentially improve road safety outcomes for older drivers and other road users who may be involved in collisions with older drivers”.
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Options include mandatory eyesight examinations and cognitive assessments every time a driving licence is renewed.
It might also mean medical examinations, expanding the role of health experts in the process, or making it a legal requirement for health professionals to inform the DVLA of their patients when they are no longer able to drive.
Possible options under consideration include eyesight checks every three years for drivers over 70, as with existing licence renewal, or more frequent checks when drivers approach higher age thresholds.
A summary of comments and the government response will be published on the webpage for this consultation / request for evidence by the Department for Transport. Paper copies are available on request.
And now Mr Burnham is the Labour Party Prime Minister, decisions will fall to him.
He has reappointed Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, who will be no stranger to the reforms, having written the introduction to the strategy.
“Road safety is at the very core of all this government stands for,” Ms Alexander said.
“Safer roads underpin our national missions – driving economic growth, enabling greener journeys thru active travel, easing pressure on the NHS and making sure everyone can travel safely.”