{"id":247230,"date":"2023-12-04T08:49:01","date_gmt":"2023-12-04T08:49:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/?p=247230"},"modified":"2023-12-04T08:49:01","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T08:49:01","slug":"new-older-driving-licence-medical-checks-may-be-ineffective-and-harmful","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/car-reviews\/new-older-driving-licence-medical-checks-may-be-ineffective-and-harmful\/","title":{"rendered":"New older driving licence medical checks may be \u2018ineffective and harmful\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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New driving law changes calling for older drivers to undergo strict medical checks to stay on the road have been blasted by a leading expert.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Professor Desmond O\u2019Neill, the chairperson of the Irish Society of Physicians in Geriatric Medicine, slammed the new rules as \u201cineffective and harmful\u201d.<\/p>\n

It comes after the European Commission proposed a series of rule changes which would affect motorists over the age of 70.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This demographic could be forced to undertake regular medical tests and even refresher courses every five years to keep their driving licence.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The rule could have a massive impact on motorists living in Ireland who follow EU rules.\u00a0<\/p>\n

READ MORE <\/strong> Older drivers should not be \u2018taken off the road\u2019 due to new DVLA proposals<\/strong><\/p>\n

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However, Mr O\u2019Neill slammed EU bureaucrats as he suggested there was a lot of \u201cmisguided thinking\u201d about older motorists.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cThis is the myth that won\u2019t die \u2013 that older drivers are more dangerous and that by screening them, we reduce crashes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The expert also revealed that screening older motorists could backfire with road users likely becoming overconfident after passing a test. He warns this could result in more accidents and therefore an increase in deaths among this age group.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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