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EXCLUSIVE: A campaigner launched a petition saying a lot of older road users “should not be” behind the wheel – but failed miserably to get the issue debated in Parliament.
By Mieka Smiles, News Reporter
08:58, Tue, Feb 27, 2024 | UPDATED: 10:20, Tue, Feb 27, 2024
The bid to get all those aged over 65 to retake their test has failed (Image: Getty)
A campaigner’s “pathetic” bid to get over 65s to retake their driving test has failed miserably. Poll founder Deniss Fomins claims there are a lot of older road users who “should not be” behind the wheel.
He launched a petition to try and get the topic debated in parliament, which requires 100,000 signatures to have it considered.
But the effort has ended miserably, with just 507 signatures being collected in six months which is the longest a petition can run for.
Mr Fomins pointed out a series of concerns from personal experience such as noticing older road users forgetting to use their indicators and having slow reactions.
Dennis Reed, director at Silver Voices, says he’s happy at the ‘pathetic’ response (Image: Handout)
His petition read: “Require drivers to retake a driving test at 65. I would like the Government to require drivers to retake their driving at 65, if they want their driving licence to remain valid.
“I travel a lot, and often see older drivers who I believe should not be driving. Some misuse turn signals, others appear to have sight issues.”
He added: “Reactions also worsen with age.”
Dennis Reed, 75, is director at Silver Voices – which is a campaign group for over 60s – and said that the poor public response to the petition was “gratifying”.
Mr Reed, who lives in Bristol, said: “It certainly gets our members worried when they see those sorts of stories. I think it’s gratifying the response was so pathetic and that there wasn’t the public support for this sort of petition.
“Older people depend on their cars a lot more than younger age groups as they are not quite as mobile and can’t carry heavy weights. They use their cars to get their weekly shop.”
He added: “It [driving] is essential for many older people – particularly in more remote areas to remain in contact with the modern world.”
Under current rules motorists need to reapply for a new driving licence every three years when they reach 70. Applicants need to declare they are fit and healthy to drive and state their eyesight still meets the minimum vision requirements.
But there is no mandatory test which road users must pass to keep hold of their licence. There have been calls for elderly road users to face some kind of assessment before being cleared to stay behind the wheel.
A previous survey from YouGov found that 65 percent of British adults would support drivers aged 70 or above retaking a practical test every three years.
And last year, the RAC Foundation stressed there was now a strong case for introducing some kind of testing for older motorists.
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