Donna Deeney suffered multiple serious injuries when she and her granddaughter were struck by an elderly driver
A pedestrian who suffered life changing injuries when she and her young granddaughter were struck by an elderly driver has backed plans to reform licensing for the over 70s.
Donna Deeney suffered multiple injuries and psychological trauma when she and her granddaughter – who was just three years old at the time – were struck by a vehicle on the pedestrian crossing at Main Street in Eglinton, Co Derry in December 2023.
The woman behind the wheel of the car that struck the two pedestrians was an 87-year-old with mobility issues who was described in court as being “profoundly deaf” and told that “objectively” she should not have been on the road.
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Mrs Deeney has given her backing to plans for a new road safety strategy reportedly being prepared by the UK government that could see compulsory eye tests for the over-70s introduced.
While the Co Derry woman would like to see measures to ensure elderly drivers are safe to get behind the wheel, she has said an update to licensing rules would be a welcome step.
England and Wales are reportedly set to introduce a new road safety strategy in the autumn, which comes after an inquest was made into four road deaths caused by drivers with failing eyesight.
Here in Northern Ireland, meanwhile, the Department for Infrastructure has told Belfast Live it is “aware of plans” for the UK government to make eye tests mandatory for drivers over the age of 70.
Following the collision on Main Street in Eglinton that left Mrs Deeney with multiple serious and life changing injuries, the driver – Valerie Greenwood of Woodvale Road, Eglinton – was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Mrs Deeney said: “The relevant legislation hasn’t been looked in decades. It needs to be looked at. Any legislation that hasn’t been looked at in that length of time is out of date. Things have changed since then. There are more people on the road, the population is older, and the cars themselves have changed – they are bigger, faster, and heavier than they’ve ever been.
“It’s a good idea to update the legislation generally and it is good to see they are looking specifically at older drivers – and many of whom would have done their test a long time ago.
“I’m driving 38 years now and the test that I passed 38 years ago is unrecognisable when it’s up against the test now. Younger drivers are tested more thoroughly today – there is a theory test, hazard perception. One of the most basic things of all should absolutely be an eye test. If your vision is not of a certain standard, with or without glasses, then you should not be behind the wheel of a car.”
On the need for reform of the laws to go further than just an eyesight test, she said: “Reforms should absolutely go farther. Hazard perception is a big one. If you can’t recognise, for example in what happened to me, a pedestrian on a pedestrian crossing then you should not be driving. Hazard perception should be looked at.”
She also stressed the need for updated theory tests for those who have been driving for decades.
Mrs Deeney, a retired grandmother in her 60s, admits she will soon meet the definition of an older driver herself.
“It is close to my age and I am heading that direction,” she said. “And I would have no qualms about submitting to further testing. It would make me feel better to know that I can drive at the required standards. It shouldn’t be self-regulation, it shouldn’t be down to ticking a box on a form. I am glad to hear the government is at least looking at it, at long last.”
The Department for Infrastructure, in a statement earlier this week, told Belfast Live: “The Department is aware of the UK government’s plans to update its Road Safety Strategy, including consulting on the potential for over-70s to take compulsory eye tests.
“All applicants for Northern Ireland driving licences are required to make a declaration as to their fitness to drive. Licence holders are also legally required to inform the Driver and Vehicle Agency if, during the period of validity of a licence, they develop any new medical condition, or if they suffer a deterioration in a previously disclosed condition, including eyesight, that may affect their ability to drive safely.
“Officials will also monitor any proposals and consultations from the UK government on lowering drink-drive limits when they are published.
“The Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030 was published on the 12 September 2024 and is supported by an Annual Action Plan, focused on reducing the number of road deaths here.
“As part of its agreed strategic interventions under the Action Plan 2024/25, the Department is reviewing existing arrangements and options to introduce a lower legal alcohol limit applicable to all drivers. Any proposed change will be subject to public consultation in due course.”
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