In Italy, people over the age of 68 are strictly prohibited from driving heavy goods vehicles. This decision is the result of a long reflection by the Italian government. Discover the motivations.
It has been some time since the question of driving of seniors is debated in Europe. Although all the countries of the European Union are concerned about this subject, they have not yet reached the same conclusion. In the case of Italy, the government has decided to withdraw the right to drive from seniors aged over 68. However, it should be noted that this driving ban does not apply to all types of permits.
Seniors over 68 are banned from driving in Italy
Regulatory Provisions
According to thearticle 126 of the Italian Highway Code, “it is forbidden to have a C or CE driving license after the age of 68”. Any person who deviates from this rule is punished with a fine of 1,200 euros and the withdrawal of their driving license for a period of four to eight months, specifies the autoplus.fr website. This measure aims to protect not only elderly driversbut also other road users. As a reminder, category C and CE driving licenses concern heavy machinery such as semi-trailers.
A strict, but concise, ban
Article 126 of the Italian Highway Code leaves no room for procrastination, any violator of its provisions must be punished. When reading this text of law, two main elements are the subject of its scope of application: the seniors over 68 years old and C and CE driving licenses. We can therefore conclude that people aged over 68 have the right to have an A or B driving license. However, if seniors over 70 have the right to drive In Italy and other European countries, however, they must undergo regular medical examinations. This may beg the question, can a doctor prohibit driving?
Regular check-up from the age of 50
Before having their C and CE driving license withdrawn, heavy equipment drivers must undergo regular checks as soon as they reach the age of 50. In Italy, unlike France, these driving skills tests are mandatory for seniors. They must comply if they want to be able to keep their license. It is still said that once they exceed 68 years of age, they will fall under the yoke of article 126 of the Italian Highway Code.
The reasons for the ban and its impact
The reasons given by the Italian government
The ban on driving heavy goods vehicles for people over the age of 68 is the result of extensive consideration by Italian Road Safety. The Italian authorities decided to take this measure after noting that the senior drivers of heavy vehicles are more likely to cause accidents. As a reminder, driving requires great responsibility and constant vigilance, but physical abilities and cognitive functions decline with age. Being in good physical condition and not suffering from any cognitive impairment are essential to operating heavy machinery, but it is difficult for people in their late sixties to meet these requirements. It is important to clarify that if you have cognitive problems, this is a sign that you should immediately stop drivingno matter your age.
Reception of the decision by motorists
The least that can be said about the decision taken by the Italian governmentis that it divides opinion. Some people welcome the measure taken by the authorities, as they believe it is necessary to ensure the safety of all road users. On the other hand, for the rest of the opinion, it is a discrimination for older drivers who are still capable of driving safely. This last category of people is also unlikely to view favorably the fact that the European Union is considering establishing a specific permit for seniors over 70 years old.
Linking to the vision of the European Union
The European Union (EU) aims to reduce the number ofaccidents de circulations on the roads of its different territories. For this, a set of provisions and measures have been taken to provide more safety on the roads. The question of seniors' fitness to drive was once again one of the concerns of the European Commission. To align with the EU's vision, many countries such as Italy and Portugal have made firm arrangements on right to drive for seniors.
