A road safety organisation has claimed the current eyesight test for drivers is long out of date, labelling it “not fit for purpose.”
GEM Motoring Assist is calling for the Government to update the driver vision laws to make detailed eye examinations part of the driver photocard licence renewal process every ten years.
“If you can’t see properly, you shouldn’t be driving,” said GEM Road Safety Officer Neil Worth.
“Poor eyesight is linked to more than 3,000 fatal and serious injury collisions every year. We are worried that there are just too many people driving whose eyesight has deteriorated to an unacceptable level.”
Currently the minimum eyesight standard for drivers is to be able to read a number plate from 20 metres, wearing glasses or contact lenses if necessary. This is assessed only as part of the driving test; afterwards drivers are responsible for making sure they still meet the requirement.
GEM said it believes that regular mandatory eyesight tests for drivers is now even more important, with so many more people staying behind the wheel into their 80s and beyond.
