New figures show a 40% rise in collisions linked to defective eyesight as the government gives a new statement as consultation on law ends
The government has issued an update for motorists regarding plans for compulsory tests being considered for drivers aged over 70. Fresh figures have been published, revealing the alarming impact of people getting behind the wheel without adequate vision.
In the most recent 12-month period for which data is available, there was a 40 per cent rise in collisions in Great Britain where the contributing factor was recorded as ‘driver or rider had uncorrected or defective eyesight’.
The government has just concluded a consultation on proposals to make eye tests mandatory every three years for all drivers over 70, with licences potentially being revoked in certain circumstances.
In a new parliamentary written question, Independent MP James McMurdock asked the Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander: “what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing periodic eyesight checks for drivers aged 70 and over.”
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport Lillian Greenwood outlined that existing rules require drivers to notify the DVLA should their eyesight deteriorate — and confirmed that officials are actively considering making this compulsory. She said: “All drivers, regardless of age, have a legal responsibility to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if at any time they develop a medical condition that may affect their ability to drive.”, reports the Express.
“The DVLA will investigate those drivers who notify them of a medical condition and will only issue a driving licence to them if they can meet the appropriate medical standards. 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. The logistical arrangements for carrying out any potential new eyesight tests formed part of the consultation. No decisions will be made until the responses to the consultation have been carefully considered.
“While the consultation focused on the mandatory eyesight testing of drivers aged 70 and over, we also recognise that as the population ages, more will need to be done to address the challenges this poses and consideration will also be given in the future to other fitness to drive measures, such as cognitive assessments.”
Mr McMurdock also enquired about the number of road traffic collisions in each of the last five years where a driver’s eyesight was identified as a contributing factor. Ms Greenwood responded: “The number of collisions in Great Britain with the factor ‘driver or rider had uncorrected or defective eyesight’ assigned in each of the last 5 years for which figures are available are shown in the table below.”
Year // Number of collisions.
2020: 165.
2021: 164.
2022: 176.
2023: 195.
2024: 274. “
In the consultation document Ms Greenwood said: “This consultation is seeking views on introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers. Eyesight deterioration is a common part of ageing due to natural changes in the eye’s structure and function, with eye conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration becoming more common in later years.
“While this consultation is focused on the mandatory eyesight testing of drivers aged 70 and over, we also recognise that more will need to be done to address wider health conditions associated with an ageing population and the increase in older drivers predicted. Consideration will be given in the future to other fitness-to-drive measures, such as cognitive assessments.”
Multiple proposals are being examined to enhance road safety for older drivers and other road users who might be involved in incidents with elderly motorists. These include compulsory eyesight tests or cognitive assessments at licence renewal, medical evaluations, expanding the role of healthcare in the procedure, or making it a statutory requirement for healthcare professionals to notify the DVLA when their patients are no longer fit to drive.
Department for Transport Officials said there are just over 6.3 million full car and motorcycle driving licence holders aged 70 and over in GB. The document adds: “From the trend from 2012 to 2025, it looks as if the number of licensed drivers aged 70 or over will continue to increase. “
The document states: “While drivers aged 17 to 24 represent a high proportion of collisions in GB, older car drivers are more likely to be killed or seriously injured per licence held, at least in part due to their frailty.
“Overall, in 2024, around 24% of all car drivers killed were drivers aged 70 or older, with 11% of all casualties in car collisions being in collisions involving older drivers. In 2024, there were 1,224 KSI older car driver casualties, a decrease of 3% compared to 2023, and an increase of 7% compared to 2014.
“The rates of KSI car driver casualties per billion miles driven are higher for male and female drivers aged 76 and over than the rates for all other driver age groups, except for drivers aged 29 and below. ” Optometrists consulted as part of the research argued that regular sight checks should be made compulsory for all licence holders.
To read the full consultation document click here.
