The European Parliament has rejected a proposal to introduce compulsory medical examinations for drivers.

The measure, proposed by the French Green MEP Karima Delli, which had caused quite a stir in the media, would have required a medical examination by all drivers every 15 years in order to renew the licence.

It was included in a wider plan proposed by the European Commission to fulfill part the European Union's objective to completely eliminate road deaths by 2050.

The measure envisaged a check of sight, hearing, and reflexes.

Karima Delli, who is chair of the committee on transport and tourism in the European Parliament, explained at the time that "This proposal is not intended to annoy people, but to save lives and families from accidents that should not take place."

In the end, MEPs voted by 323 to 270 against the proposal, replacing it with a driver's self-assessment: "MEPs agreed that drivers should assess their own fitness to drive when issuing and renewing a driving licence, leaving EU countries to decide whether self-assessment should be replaced by a medical examination with a minimum of checks on drivers' eyesight and cardiovascular conditions, among others," reads a statement issued by Parliament.

In concrete terms, therefore the issue has been left for Member States to make their own decisions. To date the French government have shown no such interest in the idea. On the contrary.

Nevertheless, such a measure is already in place in 14 European countries where medical checks are required for seniors, although in each case different rules apply.

According to Karima Delli, "The second round will take place in the member states. We are the majority in France. I call on the government and all progressives to uphold the principle of a lifelong medical check-up," she added in the statement.

In a recent survey in France undertaken by pollsters IFOP, 60% of the respondents supported the introduction of a medical examination for elderly persons.