A proposed law “undesirable”, “inadmissible” And “unacceptable”, wrote the 40 million motorists association in a petition. On Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 February, MEPs will have to examine a text from the European Parliament’s Transport Committee that aims to question the principle of a lifetime driving license. One of the measures is particularly controversial: the introduction of a mandatory medical examination every fifteen years, which is necessary for its renewal.
This test aims to check the driving ability of all road users in the European Union (EU) by testing their vision, hearing and reflexes. According to French environmentalist Karima Delli, rapporteur of the bill, the aim is to achieve and reduce the number of deaths on Europe’s roads by 50% by 2030 “Zero deaths and serious injuries” until 2050. “Mental and physical health are crucial for driving”she remembers.
Similar systems have been introduced in several European countries – notably Spain, Greece and the Czech Republic – without their impact being able to be assessed. If the proposed law aims to extend this principle to all EU Member States, it is because it is intended to do so “Respond to current challenges in the area of road safety”, knowledge : “the aging of the population”indicates Karima Delli’s entourage.
Every age
Alzheimer’s disease, cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), head trauma, epilepsy… Although the text is primarily aimed at the elderly, it is nevertheless aimed at all road users, “because disabling pathologies can affect people of all ages”, recalls Doctor Michel Avisse, President of the Permicomed Association of Registered Doctors.
Accordingly a list of recommendations The clinic, founded by the School of General Medicine and the French Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology, sees, among other things, patients with a severe neurocognitive disorder “Too great risk of driving error or accident”. For these people, health experts recommend completely refraining from driving motor vehicles. “Because Alzheimer’s disease increases the risk of collision by 2.5 times”, explains Philippe Lauwick, general practitioner and member of the National Road Safety Council. In his opinion, several pathologies can be the cause of after-effects that lead to significant impairment of analytical abilities, such as strokes or head injuries. He also points out that certain drug treatments can affect the ability to drive, such as antidepressants or anxiolytics such as Lexomil. “In order to drive a car, you have to have a certain ability to absorb information, process it and carry out the corresponding maneuver.”the doctor reminds.
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