New rules for seniors behind the wheel: increase road safety!

New rules for seniors behind the wheel: increase road safety!

The European Commission is planning comprehensive new rules for drivers over 70 to increase road safety in the EU. These rules are part of a larger approach to improving driving credentials for all age groups, particularly given the alarming number of over 20,000 road deaths annually in the EU. Loud visitukraine.today Among the planned changes, medical examinations and the system of self-assessment of health are central points.

The original proposal stipulated that drivers over 70 would be required to undergo a medical examination every five years. However, this proposal was rejected by the European Parliament as discriminatory. Instead, a compromise was reached: in every EU country, drivers over 70 must complete either a medical examination or a self-assessment of their driving ability. Each country has the freedom to decide whether self-assessment is sufficient or whether a full investigation is necessary.

Road safety in focus

The new regulations aim to increase the responsibility of older drivers and improve overall road safety. Experts warn that drivers over 65 years old often experience a decline in psychophysical abilities, which can negatively affect road safety. Statistics show that drivers over 60 are responsible for many accidents, including fatal ones.

Loud europarl.europa.eu MPs are calling for a reform of driving license regulations, which should also cover aspects such as driving in snow and ice and the safe use of mobile phones while driving. The aim is to better prepare drivers for real driving situations in order to increase the safety of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and children.

Changes in the issuing of driving licenses

The reforms stipulate that driving licenses for motorcycles and cars should be valid for at least 15 years. Driving licenses for trucks and buses, however, should only be valid for five years. The MPs reject shortening the period of validity for older drivers. The introduction of self-assessment of driving ability is welcomed, but Member States will ultimately have to decide whether medical examinations such as vision checks or possible cardiovascular diseases are necessary.

We are also aiming for a digital driving license solution that can be accessed on mobile phones. New drivers will also be required to complete a probationary period of at least two years, while stricter alcohol limits and penalties for unsafe driving will be introduced during this time.

With these far-reaching changes, the EU is responding to demographic shifts, as by 2050 almost half of the population will be over 50 years old. The new rules are a necessary step to ensure road safety in a changing environment.