When we think of superheroes, the image of someone in an extremely tight costume and a cape comes to mind. However, even the average Joe can be a hero, especially with this major license update in October. Drivers are to be added to a brand-new registration platform, which will give them the choice to become heroes who save lives. Sounds far-fetched? Not really, as two UK agencies team up with the hopes of turning all average Joes and Janes with a driving license into heroes.
You too can be saving lives in the UK
Not everyone has a hero-complex, but the UK is in dire need of heroes. Once again, not in the costume and cape-wearing crime-fighting sense. No, the UK presently has a high demand for voluntary blood donors. Voluntary blood donations are essential, as according to Healthline, they allow the following:
- To save lives in cases of emergencies, such as significant blood loss in accidents or surgeries
- To support patients with chronic and rare diseases, such as sickle cell anaemia
- To enable complex medical treatments, such as organ transplants and cancer treatments
These voluntary blood donations can turn average people into heroes. Unfortunately, the UK is facing challenges with low blood donation numbers. According to The Lancet, the UK is struggling to meet its targets, placing significant pressure on the system. This is why two agencies have teamed up. Now, you too can save lives in the UK thanks to a major license update in October.
Major license update in October
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) have teamed up with the hopes of encouraging Britons to become heroes. This new initiative will encourage anyone applying for a driving license to become a blood donor, with the hopes of increasing the number of donors in the UK. According to officials, this new initiative’s message will reach millions of Britons annually.
The DVLA and NHSBT hopes that the initiative will encourage more young Britons to become donors, as more than 50% of regular blood donors are aged 45 and over. The NHSBT added that younger donors are required to ensure the security of future blood supplies. While this measure will target young drivers and will be voluntary, senior drivers are targeted by the new mandatory tests.
A brand new registration platform
Once you have completed your driving licence application, you will receive a blood donor registation link in your email along with a message explaining that donating blood saves lives. Remember, you can become a registered blood donor from the age of 16 and officially start donating blood and thus save lives from the age of 17.
“At 17 uou can both learn to drive and start giving blood, so this new partnership with the DVLA is a fantastic opportunity for the NHS to reach more younger people who have a lifetime of donating ahead of them.” – Altaf Kazi, NHSBT assistant partnerships director
Along with this new voluntary measure integrated with the driving license applications, people will also have to say goodbye to plastic in their wallets, as the first digital license pilot has arrived in the UK. With all the new measures being implemented, staying informed about the latest traffic rule updates has never been as important as before. While digital licenses will become mandatory in the future, being an organ or blood donor will always remain a voluntary choice. Do not let someone convince you otherwise.