The British government is reviewing plans to introduce compulsory eye examinations for elderly drivers, a measure that could soon become a legal requirement as part of an updated national road safety framework.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander signaled a shift in the government’s stance during a hearing before the House of Commons Transport Committee, stating she is “open to examining” the proposal. This comes in response to a coroner’s report highlighting multiple fatal accidents involving motorists with undiagnosed or unreported vision impairments.
The report, authored by Dr. James Adeley, HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire, followed an investigation into the deaths of four elderly individuals: Marie Cunningham (79), Grace Foulds (85), Peter Westwell (80), and Anne Ferguson (75). All were killed in road incidents attributed to drivers whose poor eyesight had not been disclosed to authorities.
According to Dr. Adeley, the current UK licensing system permits self-declaration of medical conditions, allowing individuals to conceal critical health issues such as impaired vision. This loophole, he argues, undermines road safety and enables at-risk drivers to continue operating vehicles despite professional medical advice to the contrary.
“In multiple instances, optometrists had clearly advised individuals to report their visual impairments to the relevant licensing body,” the coroner’s report noted. “Unfortunately, these warnings were not acted upon, contributing to preventable tragedies.”
At present, once a driving licence is issued in the UK, there are no routine medical or competency reviews regardless of the driver’s age. While drivers are legally obligated to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they develop conditions that affect their ability to drive, there is no system to verify compliance.
Dr. Adeley did not mince words, describing Britain’s licensing framework as “the laxest in Europe”. He also raised concerns that drivers might either lie about their condition or simply ignore professional instructions to stop driving.
In response to questions from MPs about the timing of any new regulations, Ms. Alexander confirmed that the Department for Transport is preparing to publish its first comprehensive road safety strategy in over a decade. The document, expected later this year, could outline the framework for implementing routine eye tests for older motorists.
The announcement has already sparked debate among road safety experts, civil rights advocates, and senior citizen groups. Proponents argue that mandatory vision checks would significantly reduce accidents caused by undetected visual deterioration. Critics, however, caution against age-based discrimination and advocate for broader reform that addresses all high-risk drivers, regardless of age.
As policymakers deliberate on the next steps, one thing is clear: public scrutiny over the safety of elderly drivers is mounting, and the UK government is under pressure to ensure that all drivers—regardless of age—are fit for the road.
