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DRIVING

French polls support compulsory tests for drivers aged over 65

The idea of compulsory tests for drivers aged 65 and over in France has received strong backing in a public poll.

Driver in France
Should older drivers be forced to take a medical examination? Photo: Pascal Pavani/AFP

The poll conducted by Dekra for RTL radio showed that 75 percent of people support the idea of regular compulsory medical examinations for drivers  over the age of 65, and even 58 percent of the over 65s themselves supported the idea.

There are currently no restrictions on older drivers in France, with no medical tests required in order to go on driving.

Unlike the UK, holders of French driving licences are not required to renew their licence once they hit the age of 70.

However the local Préfet can order a medical examination of an older driver if they feel there are grounds for concern over them driving – this usually follows an accident.

Despite public support for the idea, there are currently no plans to introduce compulsory medical examinations, while the idea of having to retake the driving test at a certain age proved roundly unpopular.

Statistics back up older drivers here – drivers aged 65 and older cause around 10 percent of fatal accidents on French roads – half that of the 18 to 24 age group, who cause 20 percent of fatal crashes, according to data from the national road safety body.

Residents in France who hold a non-French driving licence are required to swap their licence for a French one, usually within one year of moving.

However there are some exceptions to this – a post-Brexit deal for UK driving licence holders means that some people can carry on driving on their British licence – full details here.

Meanwhile licences can only be swapped if there is a reciprocal deal between France and the country that issued the licence. In the USA this is done on a state-by-state basis, some some US licence holders can do a straight swap, while others face having to take a French driving test.

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STRIKES

Breaking: French air traffic controllers call off strike, but many flights remain cancelled

French air traffic controllers have called off a strike that was set to cause 'massive' disruption on Thursday, after reaching a last-minute deal with managers - although because of the last-minute nature of the change, many flights will still be cancelled on Thursday.

Breaking: French air traffic controllers call off strike, but many flights remain cancelled

The SNCTA union had called a 24-hour strike on Thursday, April 25th in a dispute over changes to working patterns.

The strongly supported strike was set to cause huge disruption, with around 60 percent of all flights in and out of France expected to be cancelled.

However on Wednesday morning the union announced that last-minute talks had been successful and “an agreement has been reached”.

The SNCTA strike notice for Thursday has now been lifted, but disruption is still likely on Thursday, especially at Paris airports.

It is expected that 75 percent of flights in and out of Paris Orly airport will be cancelled and 55 percent of flights at Paris Charles de Gaulle.

The disruption is due to the last-minute nature of the strike cancellation, combined with the fact that smaller unions which had also filed a strike notice could still go ahead with Thursday’s walk-out.

People with flights booked for Thursday should check with their airline for possible delays or cancellations.

The SNCTA had also threatened to file strike notices over the May holiday weekend – on May 9th, 10th and 11th – but after reaching an agreement with management, the union withdrew its strike notice for these dates.

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