British Drivers Might Take Health Tests Every Ten Years

In an effort to put the brakes on car crashes among drivers who are not fit to be on the road, it looks like UK drivers could face health tests every ten years. Although nothing is yet official, The Sun announced this law is taken into consideration by legislators.

To be or not to be a crime if not taking your test... Since it won't be compulsory, drivers could choose whether to take the test or not. Yet, if they will be later caught without a DVLA (Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency) check, they risk a criminal record.

These tests will concern an eyesight check and the drivreaction times of the drivers, two essential things when being behind the wheel.

Of course such a law will have its critics and the Department for Transport didn't bother to show its feelings regarding such tests. As a matter of fact, it claimed yesterday these checks are nothing but a “speculation”. This is actually a surprise coming from this institution as it was the one who launched a consultation concerning ways of improving road safety this year. To be more specific, what worried the Department of Transport was the growing number of older people on the roads.

Yet, what the above-mentioned institution seems not to know is that a recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety in USA proved that elderly people are not likely to be involved in fatal car accidents because of various reasons.

“Increasing car use, changes in the population’s health and medical advances all mean that the demands on the driver licensing system are now very different,” a spokesman for the Department of Transport said.

“We are considering these issues carefully and intend to consult on how we can improve the service we offer drivers,” he added.

So, are these tests a real necessity or just another opportunity to fill the DVLA's pockets with money?!