Major road safety shakeup could see mandatory sight tests for over 70s

The AOP and College of Optometrists have welcomed plans to introduce mandatory sight tests for drivers over the age of 70 at licence renewal.

The proposed changes to UK vision standards for driving, which were first reported by the Times, are expected to be included within a new road safety strategy to be released in autumn.

The shakeup to UK vision standards for driving comes following years of advocacy by the AOP through its annual Don’t Swerve a Sight Test campaign.

Evidence provided by the AOP was cited by senior coroner for Lancashire, Dr James Adeley, in an influential report into four road fatalities linked to poor vision – with the coroner finding that the enforcement of visual legalstandardsfor drivers in the UK is “unsafe.”

AOP chief executive, Adam Sampson, described the proposed changes as “a long-overdue step toward modernising road safety.”

“The introduction of compulsory sight tests for motorists over 70, alongside wider changes, signals a decisive break from complacency in the face of preventable tragedies,” he emphasised.

“For too long, the UK has relied on a self-reporting model for visual standards – one of the laxest regimes in Europe – despite mounting evidence that it puts lives at risk,” he said.

The UK is one of only three European countries to rely on self-reporting of visual conditions that affect a person's ability to drive.

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Don't swerve a sight test

Highlighting the importance of good vision for driving and promoting the value of regular sight tests

In April, the AOP and College of Optometrists gave evidence at an inquest into four road deaths involving accidents where the driver’s vision was “well below” the legal standard.

Following this inquest, senior coroner for Lancashire, Dr James Adeley, called on the Transport Secretary to take action to prevent future deaths.

Sampson highlighted that the AOP has long called for changes to a system that does not work in the interests of public safety.

“The recent inquest into deaths caused by drivers with eyesight problems laid bare the human cost of inaction. Introducing routine sight tests for drivers is a proportionate and necessary response to ensure fitness to drive – and something that we have been clear about in our calls to Government,” he said.

Other road safety measures expected to be included in the strategy include reducing the drink-driving limit in England and Wales to align with the Scottish limit, and giving people points on their licence for not wearing a seat belt.

The introduction of compulsory sight tests for motorists over 70, alongside wider changes, signals a decisive break from complacency in the face of preventable tragedies

President of the College of Optometrists, Dr Gillian Rudduck, highlighted that while the proposals are welcome, the changes to vision requirements for driving could go further to ensure that they are in line with international standards.

“We are calling for a mandatory requirement for all drivers to submit evidence of an up-to-date sight test at licence application and renewal, every 10 years and then every three years from age 70, to align with age-related eye conditions and deterioration in visual function,” she said.

“This would enable early detection and treatment of eye conditions that may be otherwise asymptomatic, and utilises regulated sight tests that are delivered by registered optometrists on the High Street across the UK,” Rudduck explained.

The AOP and College of Optometrists have published a series of five policy principles to ensure that the current vision standards for driving are implemented.

“This is what we have been campaigning for”

Emma Damen is the daughter of Jim Tassell, who died at the age of 70 in 2021 following a cycling accident involving a driver with vision below the legal standard.

A roadside test at the scene revealed that the 82-year-old driver whose car collided with Tassell could only see three metres in front of him.

Damen shared with OT that she is “really pleased” with the planned changes that would introduce compulsory sight tests for drivers over the age of 70.

“This is what we have been campaigning for – to stop other families suffering the devastation mine has at the hands of an older driver with extremely poor eyesight choosing to drive knowing he shouldn’t be,” she said.

Emma Damen

Emma Damen with her father, Jim Tassell

She emphasised that the changes are not about taking independence away from older drivers.

“There are plenty of older drivers who are fit and able to drive. It’s about identifying those with poor eyesight and supporting them with ways to improve their eyesight to ensure they do meet the legal requirement to drive. This change will help make the roads safer and save lives,” Damen highlighted.

This is what we have been campaigning for – to stop other families suffering the devastation mine has at the hands of an older driver

The optometrist 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.

“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,” she said.

While positive about the plans, Little would have preferred wider reforms that saw all drivers provide proof of a recent sight test at licence application and renewal – regardless of age.

However, in response to a backlash suggesting 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 is true that with age comes increased likelihood of ocular conditions, and many of those ocular conditions occur very gradually – they may not noticed by an individual,” she said.

She added that as well as improving road safety, the proposed measures could result in earlier detection of disease.

“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.

Rather than being a punitive measure, Little highlighted that the changes would empower optometrists to support people in their driving.

“For the vast majority of people, we will be able to optimise their vision. We are in the business of enhancing vision so they can safely drive for as long as possible,” she said.

During her time on the AOP policy committee and as chairman, Little has been part of a sustained effort by the AOP to champion the importance of appropriate vision testing for drivers.

“I’m very proud that we are now in a position where there seems to be some traction and movement on this,” she emphasised.

Boots Opticians managing director, Kyle Rowe, highlighted the company’s support for proposals to introduce mandatory sight tests for those over the age of 70.

“Good vision is essential for safe driving and some age-related conditions, like glaucoma, can develop without symptoms. Like most High Street optometrists, Boots Opticians offers free NHS eye tests to people aged 60 and over. We would welcome the opportunity to support the government by delivering mandatory eye tests for older drivers in the future,” he said.

“I miss my mum so much every day”

When her home phone rang, Sue Rimaitis knew it would be her mum – the only remaining member of her family who called on the landline.

They spoke two or three times each day to catch up on each others’ news, with Rimaitis always taking care not to call during Coronation Street.

But on this particular autumn evening in November 2021, Rimaitis’ hunch was wrong. The voice on the other end of the line was her niece telling her that her mum had been in an accident.

Sue Rimaitis

Mary Cunningham (pictured) and her friend, Grace Foulds, were killed in a collision that the coroner determined was “entirely due to the driver’s inability to see the two pedestrians”

Mary Cunningham, 79, and her friend, Grace Foulds, 85, were making their way across Lulworth Road in Southport when they were struck by a vehicle driven by Glynn Jones. The pair sustained fatal injuries.

Four years’ after her mother’s death, Rimaitis still catches herself making a mental note to tell her mum about something that has happened during her day, before realising Cunningham is no longer here.

“I find myself now willing my home phone to ring,” she wrote as part of her victim impact statement.

CCTV of the accident revealed that Jones, who had severe bilateral keratoconus, did not brake before colliding with Cunningham and Foulds.

The coroner concluded that there were no other contributory factors to the collision apart from Jones’ very poor eyesight.

Speaking with OT about proposals to introduce mandatory sight tests for drivers over 70, Rimaitis welcomed the plans but would like the reforms to extend to all drivers.

“This isn’t about targeting older drivers – this is an issue for all drivers. Some drivers do not know their vision has deteriorated without a test,” she highlighted.

“What motivates me is the untimely and unnecessary death of my mum and her friend, Grace,” Rimaitis reflected.

Jones was 65 at the time of the accident and had previously been informed that his vision did not meet the standard for driving.

Cunningham, who was the eldest of nine children, was a long-standing member of her local gym and attended aqua aerobics three times each week.

What motivates me is the untimely and unnecessary death of my mum and her friend

She and Foulds were regular attendees of the Tuesday 2 o’clock club – a social club organised by the local church. They were returning from a Tuesday 2 o’clock club outing on the day of the accident.

Rimaitis misses laughing and chatting with her mum, her hugs and kisses. She misses how her mum would end their evening calls by saying ‘Na night, God bless and speak soon.’ She misses being told off by Cunningham when she forgot to call to let her know she had arrived home safe.

“I miss my mum so much every day,” she said.

“She was not a statistic. She was a hard-working, healthy and independent lady who was taken away from her family,” Rimaitis shared.