Motorists may have to pass a test biennially if they wish to remain behind the wheel on UK streets. Drivers in Birmingham and other parts of the country who are advanced in age could be required to take vision assessments, with those aged between 81 and 90 reportedly being particularly prone to failing due to deteriorating eyesight.
Motoring pundits and campaigners for road safety are advocating for senior drivers to have eyesight checks every two years. This comes in the wake of traffic police administering number plate vision exams to 3,010 drivers, finding that 1.7% were unable to pass at all.
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Rob Heard, founder of the Older Drivers Forum, shared: “This report highlights that many people are still taking the risk to drive without knowing they have suitable vision for driving and failing to have an eyesight test every two years.”
“People’s sight deteriorates gradually, often without them being aware and often without them realising their sight may have fallen below the legal limit. Regular sight tests with an optometrist are an effective way of not only making sure we are safe to drive on the road, but also detecting medical conditions early so they can be treated, potentially extending a person’s driving career.”
David Cartwright, an optometrist and chairman of Eye Health UK, has emphasised the critical role vision plays in driving safety: “90 per cent of information needed for driving is visual. Even a minor reduction in vision can slow reaction times and impair your ability to recognise hazards or judge speed. It can also cause fatigue and affect contrast sensitivity essential for adjusting to glare and driving in low light conditions.”
He further stressed the importance of regular check-ups, saying, “Having regular eye tests, every two years or sooner if you notice a change in your vision is essential to keep you and other road users safe.”
He also pointed out that under current DVSA and DVLA regulations, drivers must meet certain eyesight standards or they could be at risk of losing their licence.