Elderly motorists urged to improve driving skills as Labour plans tougher road rules for millions

Local authorities across the UK have started preparing elderly motorists for significant regulatory changes in a bid to improve road safety.

Knowsley Council in Liverpool recently announced a complimentary road safety workshop for residents over 60 years old.

The initiative comes as Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander prepares to unveil comprehensive driving reforms this autumn.

The free event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, November 5, at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, will run from 10am to 2.30pm.

Council road safety specialists will provide guidance to senior motorists ahead of Labour's planned introduction of mandatory vision testing and medical assessments for drivers aged 70 and above.

The workshop represents part of broader efforts to support older road users as the Government develops what officials describe as the most substantial overhaul of driving regulations in nearly 20 years.

Attendees will have opportunities to engage with experienced road safety professionals and hear from guest speakers sharing real-world experiences. The programme includes information stands providing complimentary resources and practical guidance for navigating modern traffic conditions.

Participants will receive updates about recent Highway Code modifications and their implications for senior motorists. Sessions will also address vision, eyesight, and mobility concerns specific to older drivers.

The council's road safety team will be available to answer individual queries from attendees. Complimentary refreshments and lunch will be provided throughout the day. "The event is a great opportunity for older road users to stay safe by staying informed, especially as a lot has changed in recent years," according to council materials.

The need for more support follows the Government's forthcoming road safety strategy, which will require drivers over 70 to undergo compulsory eye examinations when renewing their licences every three years. Those failing the assessments could face driving prohibitions.

The reforms will undergo public consultation before implementation, with certain aspects requiring primary legislation.

Meanwhile, Essex Police have also developed an alternative approach through their Fitness to Drive assessment programme, operated in partnership with East Anglian DriveAbility. The scheme offers certain drivers involved in road incidents an evaluation instead of court proceedings.

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Sergeant Pete Sharpe, who oversees the Roads Policing Investigations team, explained that referrals are made for drivers suspected of having notifiable medical conditions, those already using adapted vehicles, or motorists over 70.

The assessments involve qualified occupational therapists and experienced driving instructors conducting comprehensive evaluations. These include licence checks, eyesight tests meeting DVLA standards, cognitive assessments examining information processing and spatial awareness, and practical on-road driving observations.

Yvette Bateman, an occupational therapist conducting assessments for a decade, said: "The tasks are not designed to make people fail, but to give them confidence to drive on today's busy roads and even brush up on some skills."

Beyond vision testing, the strategy encompasses stricter drink-driving regulations, reducing the legal alcohol limit from 35 to 22 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath.

Police will gain powers to conduct roadside saliva tests for drug-driving, replacing current blood test requirements. This follows a 78 per cent increase in road deaths involving drug-impaired motorists.

Additional measures include enhanced penalties for uninsured drivers and stricter enforcement against number plates that evade automatic recognition systems. Passengers refusing seatbelts will face penalty points under the new regulations.

Recent research also revealed that one in four British adults knows someone over 70 they believe should no longer be driving, and support introducing annual driving assessments and health checks.

Department for Transport data shows road fatalities linked to poor eyesight have reached their highest level in six years. Motorists face triple the risk of death or serious injury after turning 75.

Since 2010, accidents involving drivers over 60 resulting in death or serious injury have increased by nearly 50 per cent.