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Pensioners should prove from the age of 70 that they can still drive a car – the EU announcement caused outrage

2023-03-05T09:44:34.856Z


A series of traffic laws aim to make Europe's roads safer. The proposals also affect the veterans at the wheel, which causes criticism.


A series of traffic laws aim to make Europe's roads safer.

The proposals also affect the veterans at the wheel, which causes criticism.

Hamburg – “Safe driving is crucial to our efforts to halve the number of road deaths and serious injuries by 2030,” says EU Commissioner Adina Valean.

It is a big goal that the European Union spends there.

For comparison: last year more than 20,000 people died in traffic accidents in the EU.

The focus is now also on pensioners throughout Europe.

In order to increase road safety, the rules for the physical and mental suitability of driver candidates and drivers are now to change.

Although age continues to play a role, the inclusion of certain diseases is even more important, it said.

The age limit for more medical examinations should be raised from 50 to 70 years.

According to the proposal, drivers should also be encouraged to “update their driving skills and knowledge in order to keep up with technological developments”.

The EU states and the European Parliament must now negotiate the new proposals.

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Should seniors be required to take driving tests?

The question heats up tempers.

© Felix Kästle

"In retirement, the rag is gone" - people are outraged by the EU announcement

According to

Merkur.de,

one of the specifications even reads: In the future, the roadworthiness of drivers over 70 years of age should be checked every five years.

For many people in the social networks, this is completely incomprehensible.

"It's funny that I'm supposed to work until I'm 70 and as soon as I'm not supposed to work anymore, I can't drive a car anymore," reads a comment below the report on Twitter.

Another blows the same horn: “As soon as you retire, the rag is gone.” “Age discrimination,” some complain and turn to the EU with criticism: “They have nothing else to do in the EU than just bans pronounce?

You should still be able to work at 70, but not drive a car.

Find the mistake!


But from the mid-80s I would be for it.

— Dirk Wiebrock 🐀 (@DirkWiebrock) March 4, 2023

The lack of transport connections outside of the cities is also an issue: “Imagine you are 70 and live in the country.

But I would be all for it from the mid-80s.” There could also be problems for people who would like to work after retirement and need their car to do so.

But between the comments there are individuals who can agree to the changes: "Some seniors already have a dangerous driving style.

But you have to offer people a good mobility alternative.”

Driving license - the further plans of the EU:

  • In the future, drivers should be able to show their driver's license on their cell phone during traffic checks or when renting a car. 

  • In the training of novice drivers, climate-friendly driving should take up more space in the future.

  • Driving license at 17 EU-wide - also for trucks.

  • Traffic offenders should be able to be more easily punished in other EU countries.

Study from Japan shows that driving aptitude tests for pensioners can help

The driving ability of seniors is always the subject of debates in Germany.

That's not far fetched.

A study from Japan recently showed that mandatory driving aptitude tests for senior citizens lead to fewer car accidents.

As reported by the American Society for Geriatrics (AGS), police data on accidents that occurred in Japan from July 2012 to December 2019 were evaluated.

Then, in March 2017, a change in the law was introduced that made mandatory cognitive screening tests for older drivers mandatory.

If dementia was proven, the driver's license could be withdrawn from the elderly.

As a result, according to the study, the number of accidents among male drivers has fallen continuously.

The connection was not so clear for women drivers – probably also because many women of that age do not have a driver’s license.

However, that would change in the next generation and accidents could increase, explains the insurers' accident research (UDV).

(mke, dpa)

List of rubrics: © Felix Kästle

Source: merkur

All life articles on 2023-03-05

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