this post was submitted on 10 Jul 2023
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EU wants over 70s to prove they can still drive every five years (www.brusselstimes.com)
submitted 2 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
153 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

The European Union wants elderly people (70+) to undergo medical tests from now on to prove that they are still capable of driving a car every five years. However, the proposal has been met with a lot of criticism.

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[โ€“] [email protected] 113 points 2 years ago (4 children)

Very good. As a german, I'd welcome this.

However, expect heavy pushback from the German automotive industry. They are for Germany what the NRA and weapons manufacturer lobby is to the US.

[โ€“] [email protected] 50 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

If a german pensioneer can't drive a german car with more than 250 kph on the german Autobahn from north to south, west to east: how can we have EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT?

/s

[โ€“] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

You are missing this: !!!1111

[โ€“] [email protected] 13 points 2 years ago (5 children)

Does the German automotive industry also exercise immense power and influence in both politics and society?

[โ€“] [email protected] 27 points 2 years ago

That's a solid "Yes, definitely!"

[โ€“] [email protected] 16 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Germany is unbelievably car-centric for a developed country. It's also nicely planned, so most of the time you can survive pretty well without a car, but car is still the king here

[โ€“] [email protected] 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Germany has more cars per capita than the US and Germany is the only country without a speedlimit on motorways. So yes, they definitely do

[โ€“] [email protected] 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)
[โ€“] [email protected] 11 points 2 years ago

Looks like you're right, I heard this fact in a YouTube video or something and didn't check against. I'm sorry, I don't want to spread misinformation.

[โ€“] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago

When the idea of a general speed limit was proposed, people were literally screeching "but muh freedom!!!"

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago

No, but the pensioneers themselves do having nearly an absolute majority in elections.

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

German here, can confirm. This is 100% true.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Why would there be any pushback from the industry? They don't have to. Pensioneers basically have an absolute majority (I think the 50:50 cut in voters was at 60,something and raising last federal election) so they already control all policies.