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Driver's license at retirement age: EU plans cause an uproar - ADAC turns on

2023-05-11T15:08:44.240Z

Highlights: Draft EU law on driving licences is hitting pensioners particularly hard. Roadworthiness of drivers over 70 years of age to be checked every five years. Age limit for more medical examinations is to be raised from 50 to 70 years. New regulations intended to ensure no more traffic fatalities in the EU by 2050 and that the number will be halved by 2030. In 2022,20 people lost their lives in road traffic accidents in 600, more than in the pandemic years 2020 and 2021.. Should seniors be obliged to take driving tests?



Should seniors be obliged to take driving tests? The question heats up people's minds. (Symbolic image) © Wolfram Kastl/dpa

Europe's roads are to be made safer, but at what cost? A draft EU law on driving licences is hitting pensioners particularly hard. Many complain - including the ADAC.

Hamburg - In the future, the roadworthiness of drivers over 70 years of age is to be checked every five years throughout the EU and the age limit for more medical examinations is to be raised from 50 to 70 years. This is the result of a proposal by the EU Commission and would affect millions of pensioners in Europe.

The new regulations, with numerous other innovations in the area of driving licences, are intended to ensure that there are no more traffic fatalities in the EU by 2050 and that the number will be halved by 2030. By comparison, 2022,20 people lost their lives in road traffic accidents in 600. More than in the pandemic years 2020 and 2021. The EU member states and the European Parliament must now negotiate the new plans. The announcement certainly causes an uproar.

Driving licence in retirement – and other plans of the EU:

  • In the future, drivers will be able to show their driver's license on their mobile phones during traffic controls or car rental.
  • In the future, climate-friendly driving will take up more space in the training of novice drivers.
  • Young people should be able to get their driver's license at the age of 17 and gain experience through accompanied driving.
  • Traffic offenders should be able to be punished more easily in other EU countries.

ADAC criticises EU plans for pension driving licences: "Not proportionate"

Thomas Lutze of the Left Party complains: "This is nothing more than age discrimination." On the other hand, he suggests that "all road users with a driving licence aged 50 and over should be regularly examined and advised by their family doctor for fitness to drive". The Union continues to rely on "the personal responsibility of motorists". And the Greens think it is "good that the EU Commission is taking the next step towards road safety and roadworthiness," as transport politician Swantje Michaelsen announced. According to the report, the SPD sees it similarly.

It is still unclear when, where and how the plans will be implemented - and what such a check could look like. The bill cites refresher courses and training as examples. The ADAC criticises this and declares the announced reforms to be "disproportionate". Older road users in particular are usually "characterized by a driving style adapted to the situation and anticipatory driving. They avoid risky manoeuvres."

Although there could be a loss of performance with increasing age, the risk of accidents for older drivers is not exceptionally high, according to the ADAC. The association "rejects the planned measures that relate to a certain age". Rather, he demands: "If health problems are detected, a conversation with the attending physician should be sought in order to obtain an assessment of one's own fitness to drive and, if necessary, to initiate further measures – thisapplies to all age groups."

"As soon as you retire, the rag is gone"

In the social networks, many people have little understanding for the EU threat: "It's funny that I'm supposed to work until I'm 70 and as soon as I'm no longer supposed to work, I'm no longer allowed to drive a car," reads one comment on Twitter. Another fears: "As soon as you retire, the rag is gone." "Age discrimination," some complain and turn to the EU with criticism: "Do they have nothing else to do in the EU than to pronounce bans?"

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The BAGSO, which by definition represents the interests of the older generations in Germany as the Federal Association of Senior Citizens' Organizations, wanted to meet at the request of IPPEN. MEDIA.

Source: merkur

All life articles on 2023-05-11

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