Fresh concerns about the safety of older drivers have been raised after an 82-year-old Liberal Democrat peer was banned from driving for the second time this year.

Lord Tim Razzall, a former party treasurer, was disqualified after admitting he drove through a red traffic light in west London.

The case has raised particular concerns as ministers consider whether tougher rules are needed for older motorists, including mandatory eyesight tests.

Lord Razzall appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this week, where he represented himself. Asked to enter his plea, he made no attempt to dispute the charge, telling the court: “Well, I’m clearly guilty, yeah.”

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring handed him a two-week discretionary driving ban.

It is the second time Lord Razzall has been disqualified this year, having already received an identical 14-day ban in July for speeding.

The offence took place on March 13 at the busy junction of Grosvenor Road and Chelsea Bridge Road.

Lord Razzall was driving a Volkswagen Polo at the time and lives in Notting Hill.

Outside the court, the peer blamed heavy traffic for the mistake.

Gesturing towards the road nearby, he said: “It was very heavy traffic, heavier than this. It’s quite hard along the Embankment, you often, with heavy traffic, you know, you don’t necessarily react quickly enough to the light.”

Lord Razzall also said it was “slightly unfortunate” that the two offences were dealt with separately.

The magistrate agreed, confirming that if both matters had been heard together, he would likely have faced just one 14-day ban instead of two.

As a result of the latest case, Lord Razzall was ordered to pay £410, including a £200 fine.

While the offence itself was relatively minor, the case has reignited debate about whether Britain’s ageing driving population is being properly monitored.

Under current rules, drivers must renew their licence every 10 years.

Once they reach 70, renewals are required every three years. However, the system relies almost entirely on drivers assessing themselves.

There are no compulsory medical checks or eyesight tests linked specifically to age.

Instead, older drivers must declare that they are fit to drive and that their eyesight meets the legal standard.

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Older drivers are also legally required to inform the DVLA if they develop a medical condition that could affect their driving.

Doctors, opticians and even family members can report concerns to the DVLA, but only if they choose to do so.

Critics argued this approach leaves too much responsibility with individuals and families, particularly as reaction times, eyesight and judgement can decline with age.

The Government is now reviewing the system as part of a new Road Safety Strategy, due to be released later this year.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has said she is “open to considering” mandatory eyesight tests for older drivers.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “It’s vital we balance people’s freedom to drive with public safety.

“There are already strict checks and conditions for older drivers, and we are reviewing them as part of the new road safety strategy to make sure they keep pace with the needs of an ageing population.”

Public opinion appears firmly in favour of tougher rules, with research by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart finding that 85 per cent of motorists support compulsory vision tests for drivers over 70 when they renew their licence.

More than half of those surveyed said drivers should also be required to take theory and practical tests at 70 years old.

Support rises even further for the very elderly, with over three-quarters backing mandatory practical assessments for drivers aged 85 and over.

Official figures showed that while collision rates generally fall as drivers get older, they start to rise again after the age of 70, with the highest rates among those aged 85 and above.