Elderly driver warning: Police are set to launch a road test for motorists – those who fail risk a £1,000 fine and disqualification
- Two-thirds of drivers who wear glasses ‘delay’ getting eye care
- Visually impaired motorists risk a £1,000 fine or a driving ban
Two-thirds of drivers who use glasses or contacts ‘delay’ correcting their vision and risk a £1,000 fine for risking crashes, new data shows.
Elderly and visually impaired drivers are warned to have their eyes examined to avoid the risk of causing accidents on the road.
However, most people who need their eyes repaired avoid treatment, according to data from the Association of Optometrists (AOP).
The research also found that almost a fifth of people who need glasses to drive haven’t had their eyes checked for at least three years.
Postponing eye exams for such a long time could be a traffic violation if it poses a road safety risk.
(Stock image) Crashes involving people aged 70 or over are due to vision problems 42% of the time
The AOP has warned that drivers’ reluctance to seek eye treatment could pose a serious threat to road safety.
Surprisingly, the group also found that one in 10 Britons said they would continue to drive even if their vision was deemed unsafe.
Nearly half of the country’s optometrists also said they had dealt with patients who stayed on the road when their vision was legally classified as too dangerous to drive.
Around 3,000 people are killed or injured by a visually impaired driver each year in the UK.
Crashes involving drivers over 70 in the UK were due to vision problems more than 42% of the time, according to Department for Transport figures.
Police are now planning to carry out visual screening on the UK road to ensure motorists are not driving with untreated eyesight.
Those who do could face a £1,000 fine, three penalty points on their license and risk of disqualification.
Drivers who are pulled over by police will be asked to read a license plate 20 feet away.
If they don’t, they could have their license revoked immediately.
However, it is up to motorists to report any loss of eyesight to the DVLA themselves.
The AOP has criticized the government for not taking enough action to keep UK roads safe by screening drivers’ eyesight.
Adam Sampson, chief executive of AOP, said: “It is deeply concerning that a 17-year-old who can read a number plate from 20 meters away when passing his driving test can continue to drive without further control for the rest of his life.
“We have to ask why the UK system, which relies on self-declaration and a number plate test, continues to operate under a law first introduced in 1937 to the detriment of the safety of individuals .”
“Vision loss can often be gradual, and people may not notice changes that could affect their ability to drive, so it’s important to remember that regular vision checks are an essential part of helping to stay safe. as a driver.”
