Photo/Illutration Police investigate the scene of an accident caused by an elderly driver in Tokyo’s Toshima Ward on April 19. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Elderly drivers will be required to prove themselves behind the wheel when they renew their licenses by passing a test, according to a proposal compiled by the National Police Agency on Dec. 19.

The draft of a revision to the Road Traffic Law also includes a plan to issue a new "limited" license to senior drivers that restricts them to operate vehicles equipped with safety enhancements, such as an automatic braking system.

The agency hopes to submit a proposed revision to the ordinary Diet session next year. If the bill is passed, it will take effect around 2022.

Under the draft bill, drivers aged 75 and older who have caused a traffic accident or have certain violations on their record, such as running a red light or significantly exceeding the speed limit, would be required to take a driving skills test.

In the test, the target drivers would be asked to use a car at a driving school or other sites and be evaluated for their skills.

Drivers who do not meet certain standards will be unable to renew their licenses.

However, they will be allowed to take the test multiple times.

The agency will flesh out the contents of the test and the details of the evaluation.

Currently, drivers aged 70 or older are required to take a course designed for older motorists, which includes in-vehicle instruction. Under the revised law, the instruction section will include an objective assessment of driving skills.

The agency also hopes the move will raise self-awareness among elderly drivers who are not subject to taking a driving test.

The newly proposed limited driving license will apply to vehicles equipped with an automatic braking system and functions to restrict acceleration when a driver mistakenly hits the gas pedal instead of the brake.

All drivers will be able to apply for the license, regardless of age. People with a regular license can switch over to the limited license.

Depending of vehicle functions, limited license carriers may be exempt from certain tests, such as a driving test.

Although the number of traffic accidents involving loss of life has decreased in recent years, the number of traffic accidents caused by elderly motorists is on the rise.

According to the National Police Agency, the number of fatal accidents caused by a motorist aged 75 or older has fluctuated between 400 and 499.

Last year, 460 such accidents occurred, with 252 caused by drivers aged 80 or older.

Fatal accidents caused by drivers 75 or older accounted for 14.8 percent of the total number of fatal accidents, a 1.9-point increase from the previous year.

According to the agency, for causes of traffic accidents involving four-wheeled vehicles operated by drivers 75 or older, “making mistakes in operation” and “not watching where one is driving” accounted for about 30 percent each.