We are not safe on the roads!
However good we think we are as
drivers, the system is putting us at risk.
It may surprise you to know that there are no required eyesight or physical checks to renew your driving licence. The only time you are likely to be checked is when you take your test, or when YOU declare a problem.
Even at 70 the renewal is by self-certification. There are conditions which require declaration by law. These are
available here
they include:
- Poor eyesight
- Diabetes
- Neurological Conditions
- Heart Problems
- Alcohol, drugs or substance abuse
The DVLA currently state "If you
already hold a driving licence and you develop a medical condition which
could affect your driving, by law you must tell us. You must also let us
know if a medical condition you have already told us about gets worse.
If you are not sure whether or not to tell us about a medical condition,
ask your GP. He or she should also be able to give you advice on whether
you should drive while medical enquiries are being made."
But this assumes that the licence holder will obey it.
No actual checks are done as standard.
Consider this:
An estimated
87% of drivers have not received
ANY form of driver training since passing their test.
There is no check on health or eyesight required to renew a driving licence. Disclosure of certain health conditions is required
by law, but this is poorly enforced and rarely checked.
A large percentage of drivers are driving without adequate eyesight – When was the last time yours was tested?
1 in 3* Drivers
eyesight is NOT adequate (*Specsavers
Drive Safe Road show)
There
is no upper age limit for licence holders, anybody over 70 can
simply tick a box to self-certify their ability to drive.
The number of car on the road has DOUBLED since 1970.
In figures released in 2009 there were
36,535,724
Licence Holders in Great Britain. This includes
1,317 aged between 100 and
106 years of age! (Remembering these licences must be renewed every
3 years) THEY HAVE HAD TO RECEIVE NO MEDICAL OR EYESIGHT CHECKS TO DO THIS!
Overall, there are approx. 32,897,000
vehicles registered for use on UK roads including cars, vans, taxis,
buses and trucks.With these figures, and
such little protection it is not good enough, or safe enough for today's
roads.
WHEN WAS YOUR LAST CHECK?
Join our
Facebook Group and show your support
What we would like to see:
- An Opticians Certificate to renew
your Licence. Preferably 5 yearly or even an annual
test.
- A Qualified Medical Check to renew
your licence, at LEAST for those aged 70+.
- A Motorway Driving Test - Or -
Enforced Motorway Tuition. Drivers currently pass their
tests and can go straight on to Motorways with no
tuition or experience.
- Penalty Points, Tickets or Fines requiring a
mandatory eyesight check by a qualified optician.
- Expert assessment and advice for all drivers
when renewing their licence. We are not asking
for a test, but an assessment by a qualified ADI or
similar. Simply a bit of advice. Cars and techniques move on, drivers need to as
well.
- A restriction on engine size,
a curfew and a passenger limit at night for Newly Qualified
Drivers under the age of 25.
- Organ Donation on Driving Licence
Application
and Renewal to be an Opt Out option, rather than
an Opt in.
- All Old Style paper licences to be replaced by Photocards
Where we can start:
For starters - Eyesight & Health Checks and
Photo Licences
New "Photocard" licences are renewable every 10 years.
This gives the
perfect opportunity to make checks and ensure we are not putting
ourselves at risk.
CB's Driving School are campaigning to get the
laws changed and we need your support. Please sign our 10 Downing Street
petition here and send it to your friends and family. The petition is purely
regarding Eyesight and Health legislation. But we hope it will bring
attention to the whole area of Driving Safety.
Get in touch now and let us know what you
think, or if you wish to be kept up to date with our campaign and policy
changes.
Driving is a Privilege NOT a Right. Help keep yourself and your family safe.
|
