EU decides: no health tests for seniors - what remains?
EU decides: no health tests for seniors - what remains?
The topic of driving licenses and traffic safety not only moves beginners, but also the older drivers in the EU. A decision of the European Union is currently causing a stir: such as KA-News reported, mandatory tests for seniors aged 70 and over, which would have to detect a health test every five years, were ultimately rejected. This decision met with resistance in particular from Germany, where health tests for older drivers are considered unnecessary.
In other EU countries such as Spain, Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands, however, there are already guidelines that prescribe regular health tests for older drivers. This discrepancy is also evident in opinions: in Germany, both the federal government and the majority of German EU MPs refused the plans, which led to the facilitation of many drivers.
personal responsibility and national regulations
In the future, the Member States will be allowed to decide whether and to what extent medical checks should be introduced for drivers, so adac . This personal responsibility is strongly supported by Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP), who emphasizes that there are no significant figures that require action in certain age groups. As part of this personal responsibility, drivers could possibly have to submit a self -disclosure to their health when extending the driver's license.The initiative aims to reduce the number of traffic fatalities by 50 percent by 2030. The trend is clear: after a decline during the Corona pandemic, the figures for the road dead in the EU rise again. Around 20,400 people died in traffic accidents in 2023, which represents a slight decrease of 1 % compared to 2022.
The digital driver's license
Another important point is the progress in the digitization of the driver's licenses. By 2030 at the latest, the EU is planning the introduction of a uniform digital driver's license for all citizens. This digital driver's license is recognized in all Member States, but remains optionally next to the physical driver's license. Both variants apply to cars and motorcycles and are valid for 15 years. From April 2025, the theoretical test for driver's license applicants will also come up with new questions.
summarized it is shown that the EU is working towards a uniform system and less traffic, but at the same time gives Member States the freedom to shape their own rules regarding health tests for older drivers. It remains to be seen whether this leads to more security on the streets in the long term. The upcoming discussions in the so -called trilogue after the European elections in June could set important course.
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| Ort | Karlsruhe, Deutschland |
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