Widow wants drivers to take retest every 10 years

The family of a father of four killed by an elderly motorist has welcomed new road safety measures but believes they do not go far enough.

Ian Massey's widow Sarah said he was killed when a car being driven in the wrong direction crashed into his motorbike on the A5 near Magna Park, Leicestershire, in December 2015.

The Department for Transport's Road Safety Strategy, announced this month, includes plans for eyesight tests for the over-70s every three years and potential cognitive testing.

On the 10th anniversary of the 51-year-old's death, his family welcomed the proposals but said all motorists should be made to retake a driving test every 10 years.

Massey's family said the fatal crash happened as he was riding his motorbike to a family party on 29 December 2015.

Sarah Massey, 58, from Enderby in Leicestershire, said: "Ian was late and I just knew something was amiss.

"I drove off to go find Ian on his route back and when I got to the A5, there was a policeman's car and just as I was pulling up behind him, I saw the air ambulance.

"Just as it was flying over it turned away and I thought, somebody's not made it.

"I just knew it was my husband."

Her daughter, Charlie Massey, said it was "devastating".

"You don't expect to lose your dad at 18.

"You expect them to carry you through your life and be with you to support you and encourage you.

"The measure of loss is impossible to put into words," she said.

The shake-up of driving laws, which was announced on 7 January, is aimed at reducing the number of people killed or badly injured on the roads by 65% by 2035 and by 70% for children under 16.

The government is consulting on a number of measures, including mandatory eye tests for drivers over the age of 70 every three years and potential cognitive testing for older drivers.

The Massey family welcomed government plans but said the measures did not go far enough.

"People pass their driving test and they can be driving 50, 60 years and nobody at all bothers to ask about their competency.

"It would be phenomenal if we could all be retested every 10 years or so because nobody checks to see are you capable of driving this machine.

"If she [the driver] would have been retested regularly for her driving abilities... he [her husband] probably would be alive today, if her driving licence had been revoked," said Sarah Massey.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: "This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with Ian's loved ones.

"We know driving is important for older people's independence, but this must be balanced with safety.

"All drivers have a legal responsibility to report medical conditions to the DVLA."

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.