In Austria, there is excitement about a planned EU regulation on elderly drivers. The background is the European Commission’s proposal from the beginning of March for more safety on the roads in the EU. This should be done, for example, by regularly checking the fitness to drive of people over the age of 70
According to the European Commission, people over the age of 70 must carry out a self-assessment of their fitness to drive or have a medical examination every five years: Member States.”
Driving licenses issued since 2013 are already limited to 15 years. All driving licenses issued before 2013 – in Austria the old, pink paper driving licenses – will remain valid until 2033.
“Arbitrary” age discrimination
The FPÖ and the presidents of the Senior Council Peter Kostelka (SPÖ) and Ingrid Korosec (ÖVP) now criticize the plans of the Brussels government as age discrimination. FPÖ traffic spokesman and secretary-general, Christian Hafenecker, sees “arbitrary” age discrimination in the planned scheme for people over 70 years old. For him, this is an “annoying measure by the EU”.
Retirees’ associations made similar statements. “This is a clear case of age discrimination, which should not be practiced in this form in Austria,” Kostelka criticized. Korosec explained: “Restricting the mobility of the elderly has a huge negative impact on their quality of life.”
According to the responsible Ministry of Transport, it is examining the EU proposal. “Many details are still open in the proposal and it will therefore still require significant clarifications and improvements before negotiations can begin between Member States at the political level and with the EU Parliament.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
