23 hours Ago By Sarah Barltrop
Eyesight tests may become mandatory for older drivers after Government reportedly conceded that a review was necessary. A source close to Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said the government accepted rules "need to be reassessed" after she was sent an inquest that found visual legal standards in the UK were "ineffective and unsafe". HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire, Dr James Adeley, called on Alexander to take action to prevent future deaths after sending the inquest, deeming the UK licensing system the "laxest in Europe ".
The source close to the transport secretary added: "We are not ruling anything out regarding changes to eyesight requirements for driving. This will be considered along with wider efforts to improve safety as part of the government's road safety strategy." It is thought a strategy could be published by the end of the year, and ministers would need to consult on proposed changes.
Under current rules, motorists only have to read a number plate from 2m away when they first start driving, and the UK is the only European country to issue licences without any visual checks for a continuous period up to the age of 70. After 70, the license must be renewed every three years, but there is no mandatory test. Instead, the UK is one of three countries that relies on self-reporting, whereby drivers are legally obligated to inform the DVLA of eyesight problems affecting their driving.
Dr Adeley highlighted his concerns when speaking at the inquest, which investigated the deaths of Marie Cunningham, 79, Grace Foulds, 85, Peter Westwell, 80, and Anne Ferguson, 75, who were killed by drivers with failing eyesight. He said: "The four fatalities shared the same feature that the driver's sight was well below the standard required to drive a car. "The current system for 'ensuring' drivers meet the visual legal standards is ineffective, unsafe and unfit to meet the needs of society as evidenced by the deaths of Marie Cunningham, Grace Foulds, Anne Ferguson and Peter Westwell where the DVLA continued to provide licences to drivers who had failed to meet the legal sight requirements.
" The Department for Transport said it would consider the coroner's report once received. A spokesperson added: "The NHS recommends adults should have their eyes tested every two years and drivers are legally required to inform the DVLA if they have a condition which affects their eyesight. "We are committed to improving road safety and continue to explore ways to achieve this.
" Rob Heard, chairman of the Older Drivers' Forum, called for compulsory optician and GP checks once a person turns 70, adding that cars can become "lethal weapons". Mrs Cunningham and Mrs Foulds were struck when crossing the road in November 2021 by Glyn Jones, 68, who had been aware for some years that his sight didn't meet the requirements, but failed to declare it. Neil Pemberton, 81, who struck Mr Westwell while crossing the road near Blackburn in March 2022 also failed to declare his long history of eye disease, despite being informed on several occasions by different clinicians that he should not drive.
Vernon Law, 72, struck Mrs Ferguson in Rochdale in July 2023 after lying to his optometrist that he did not drive when they informed him he had cataracts, which are easily treatable. The family of Mrs Cunningham said: "This tragedy was not inevitable. It was entirely avoidable.
And we are left grappling with the painful truth that if this man had acted responsibly our mum would still be with us.".
