The government has provided an update on plans to introduce compulsory eye tests for drivers aged 70 and over, following a sharp increase in road collisions linked to poor eyesight. New figures reveal a 40 percent rise in collisions in Great Britain where the factor 'driver or rider had uncorrected or defective eyesight' was recorded in the latest available 12-month period.
Consultation on Mandatory Eye Tests
The Department for Transport (DfT) has concluded a public consultation on making eye tests mandatory for all drivers over 70 every three years, with the possibility of licence revocation for those who fail. The consultation ran from 7 January to 11 May, and the government is now analysing responses before making a final decision.
Parliamentary Questions on Eyesight Checks
Independent MP James McMurdock asked the Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander about the potential merits of periodic eyesight checks for older drivers. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport Lillian Greenwood confirmed that drivers already have a legal duty to inform the DVLA of any medical condition affecting their ability to drive. She added that the DVLA investigates such notifications and only issues licences to those meeting medical standards.
Greenwood stated: "A public consultation on introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers was launched on 7 January and closed on 11 May. The Department for Transport is currently analysing the responses, and the government response will be published once that is complete. No decisions will be made until the responses have been carefully considered."
Collision Data Over Five Years
McMurdock also requested data on collisions where eyesight was a contributory factor. Greenwood provided the following figures for Great Britain:
- 2020: 165 collisions
- 2021: 164 collisions
- 2022: 176 collisions
- 2023: 195 collisions
- 2024: 274 collisions
The trend shows a significant increase, particularly in 2024.
Options for Improving Road Safety
The consultation document notes that eyesight deterioration is a common part of ageing, with conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration becoming more prevalent. Several options are being considered, including mandatory eyesight tests or cognitive assessments at licence renewal, medical assessments, greater healthcare involvement, or requiring healthcare professionals to report unfit drivers to the DVLA.
Statistics on Older Drivers
There are over 6.3 million full car and motorcycle driving licence holders aged 70 and over in Great Britain, and this number is expected to rise. While younger drivers (17-24) are involved in a high proportion of collisions, older car drivers are more likely to be killed or seriously injured per licence held due to frailty. In 2024, around 24 percent of all car drivers killed were aged 70 or older, and 11 percent of all casualties in car collisions involved older drivers. There were 1,224 killed or seriously injured (KSI) older car driver casualties in 2024, a 3 percent decrease from 2023 but a 7 percent increase from 2014.
The rates of KSI casualties per billion miles driven are higher for drivers aged 76 and over than for all other age groups except those aged 29 and below. Optometrists consulted during the research recommended mandatory regular sight checks for licence holders.
The government will publish its response once the consultation analysis is complete, with potential future measures including cognitive assessments for older drivers.
