A new study has found that as many as 720,000 motorists could be driving on Britain’s roads with defective eyesight.
Between 28 October and 10 November 2024, police forces across England and Wales conducted number plate tests on 3,010 motorists.
Results show that 1.7% failed the number plate test – the equivalent of 720,642 motorists.
The number plate tests were carried out as part of the ‘Is Your Vision Roadworthy?’ campaign, run by the charity Eye Health UK working alongside Rob Heard, road safety campaigner and chair of the Older Drivers Forum.
The results also show:
- 3.2% of all drivers stopped were issued police warnings or had their licence revoked.
- 1.4% of all drivers stopped had their driving licence revoked – 38 revocations were immediate (on the spot) and six were pending, awaiting action from DVLA.
- 40% of motorists had not had a sight test in the last two years, as recommended.
- One third of drivers had been prescribed corrective lenses for driving. Half of drivers who failed the roadside sight test were not wearing their required glasses when stopped by police.
- The roadside test failure rate was highest amongst older drivers – 10.2% of 81 to 90-year-olds failed.
These results are published in a new report, written by Dr Carol Hawley of Warwick Medical School, on behalf of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), University of Warwick, Older Drivers Forum and Eye Health UK.
The report aims to raise awareness of motorists’ responsibility to ensure their vision meets minimum legal eyesight standards and comes as traffic volumes on Britain’s roads are set to peak during the 2024 festive getaway.
David Cartwright, optometrist and chair of Eye Health UK, said: “90% of information needed for driving is visual. Even a minor reduction in vision can slow reaction times and impair your ability to recognise hazards or judge speed.
“It can also cause fatigue and affect contrast sensitivity – essential for adjusting to glare and driving in low light conditions. Having regular eye tests, every two years or sooner if you notice a change in your vision is essential to keep you and other road users safe.”
Six people lost their lives on UK roads in 2023 and around 3,000 are seriously injured every year due to drivers or riders with uncorrected or defective eyesight.
Rob Heard said: “This report highlights that many people are still taking the risk to drive without knowing they have suitable vision for driving and failing to have an eyesight test every two years.
“Peoples’ sight deteriorates gradually, often without them being aware and often without them realising their sight may have fallen below the legal limit.
“Regular sight tests with an optometrist are an effective way of not only making sure we are safe to drive on the road, but also detecting medical conditions early so they can be treated, potentially extending a person’s driving career.”
Chief constable Jo Shiner, NPCC lead for roads policing, said: “Personal responsibility is the starting point for safer drivers. Making sure your eyesight meets the standards of vision for driving is really important and something only you can do.
“If you have any doubts whatsoever about your sight please see an optician, this will keep you and all other road users safe while you are driving.”
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