Mandatory Eye Tests For Drivers Over 70 – What Does This Mean?

 

The UK is set to introduce a new law where motorists over the age of 70 could be banned from driving if they fail to attend for a compulsory eye test carried out when renewing their driving license every three years.

Currently, the UK relies on a self-reporting model for visual conditions that affect a person’s ability to drive, making it one of only three European countries to do so. When renewing your license, drivers are legally required to tell the DVLA if they have a problem with their eyesight, although this does not include being short-sighted, long-sighted, or colour blind. The Association of Optometrists (AOP) Chief Executive, Adam Sampson, described this method as “one of the laxest regimes in Europe despite mounting evidence that it puts lives at risk”.

The changes are anticipated to be included in a new road safety strategy published in the autumn by the government.

The Statistics:

• 56% of UK optometrists have seen a patient in the last month who continues to drive despite being told their vision is below the legal standard.
• 26% of people say they are concerned about someone they know driving despite having poor vision.
• 14% have a relative, friend, or co-worker that they know to be breaking the law regarding the eyesight standards for driving.

 

The Danger of Failing Eyesight on the Roads

The calls for change originate from coroner Dr James Adeley, who issued a ‘prevention of future deaths notice’ to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. This comes after four recent deaths due to drivers with failing eyesight.

In 2021, Marie Cunningham, 79, and Grace Foulds, 85, were fatally struck by Glyn Jones, 67, when crossing the road in Southport, Merseyside. Jones has been repeatedly told he was unfit to drive over a 10-year period.

Also in 2021, Jim Tassell, 70, died following a cycling accident involving an 82-year-old driver whose vision was below the legal standard, being able to see only 3 metres in front of him.

In 2022, Peter Westwall, 80, was killed in Langho, near Blackburn, by a driver who lied about his eyesight condition to the DVLA. Anne Ferguson, 75, was also fatally struck by a driver in Rochdale who had been referred for cataract surgery in both eyes.

Both drivers had been told to surrender their licenses, but ignored the advice.

The Current Law and Standards

According to the GOV UK website, you must be able to read (with glasses or contact lenses if necessary) a car number plate made after 1st September 2001 from 20 metres.

You must also meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving by having a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale (with glasses or contact lenses if necessary).

Under the current law, there is no obligation for optometrists to notify the DVLA about a patient who is unfit to drive. However, they have a duty to report it if it is in the public interest.

According to guidance from the General Optical Council (the regulating body for the optical professions), optometrists “should notify the DVLA/DVA if you believe that a patient will continue to drive despite advice not to do so”.

Optometrists can inform the agencies even if the patient has not given their consent.
But ultimately, the decision of whether to cancel a driving licence lies with the DVLA/DVA.

The Optometrist’s View

Optometrist and past AOP Chairman, Professor Julie-Anne Little, described the proposals as a “significant step change” in the Department for Transport’s approach. She went on to say, “It shows a commitment to updating a system that has been out of step with the rest of Europe in terms of vision standards for driving”.

Whilst optimistic about the change, Little would have preferred wider reforms that saw all drivers provide proof of a recent eye test at the time of license application and renewal, regardless of age.

In response to backlash suggesting that the proposals unfairly target older people, Little highlighted that there is a particular value in this demographic receiving a sight test to check their vision.

“It’s true that with age comes increased likelihood of ocular conditions, and many of those ocular conditions occur very gradually; an individual may not notice them”, she said.

She added that, in addition to improving road safety, the proposed measures could also result in earlier detection of diseases.

“I think that we will invariably catch and detect ocular conditions in a number of people who wouldn’t have otherwise presented for an eye test, despite the NHS provision for free sight tests for all people over 60 years,” Little said.

The Importance of Eye Tests as You Get Older

Certain eye diseases are more common the older you get, these include:

• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

During a routine eye exam, your optometrist doesn’t just check whether you need glasses. Your optometrist also checks the health of your eyes. They can detect eye diseases, like those listed above, at an early stage – often before you’ve noticed any changes yourself. Some eye diseases don’t always cause obvious symptoms; this is why it’s important to have regular eye tests.

Entitlement to Free Eye Tests:

• If you’re aged 60 or over, you can get a free eye test every 2 years, but you may be advised to test more frequently.
• If you’re aged 40 or over and you have a close family member who has been diagnosed with glaucoma or you’ve been advised by an ophthalmologist that you’re at risk of glaucoma, you’ll get a free annual eye test.
• If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you’ll get a free eye test every 2 years or more often if clinically necessary. You should also be offered an additional eye test every 1-2 years, depending on previous results, to check for signs of diabetic retinopathy.
• Patients receiving certain state benefits are also entitled to a free NHS eye test.

 

 

No matter your age, it is never too soon to start thinking about your eye health. Our comprehensive eye tests at Opticare are your proactive defence against potential eye conditions, offering early detection and protection against permanent damage.

Don’t miss out on safeguarding your precious vision. – Book an eye test today!