In one of the European countries, they will start checking elderly drivers: how it will affect Ukrainians.

Checking elderly drivers in Europe
Checking elderly drivers in Europe

The European Union is considering new controls for elderly drivers

The European Union is considering introducing a new system of control for elderly drivers. This could significantly affect driving rules in Poland.

The main question concerns drivers who are 70 years old, reports InPoland.

Initially, the European Commission proposed mandatory medical examinations every five years for drivers over 70 years old. If the examination result was negative, such drivers would automatically lose their driving rights. However, MEPs rejected this initiative in its initial form.

Instead, a milder alternative was proposed - 'self-assessment of health'. According to this principle, elderly drivers are to personally fill out a special questionnaire, in which they evaluate their health status and ability to drive a car.

Each EU member state will have the right to interpret these provisions independently. Some countries may limit themselves to self-assessment, while others may introduce additional examinations of vision and the circulatory system.

In the Polish political environment, there are differences regarding this issue. MP Małgorzata Gromadzka from the Civic Coalition constantly emphasizes the need for mandatory checks for elderly drivers, citing deterioration of vision, hearing, and reaction speed with age.

However, the Polish Ministry of Health reported that it is currently not conducting any work on changing the rules of medical examinations for drivers. The Ministry of Infrastructure expresses concern that establishing age criteria could be seen as a form of discrimination.

Both ministries are currently working on implementing the EU directive regarding driving rights. Only after this process is completed will a decision be made regarding possible changes in Polish legislation.


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