Drivers Over 70 To Face Mandatory Vision Checks Under New Road Safety Laws

Drivers aged 70 and over could soon be required to take regular eye tests under new road safety plans set to be published this week. At the centre of the changes is a move away from the current system, which relies on drivers to self-report health conditions that affect their ability to drive. Ministers want mandatory vision checks for older motorists every three years, following growing concern from coroners and safety groups that the current self-reporting system is too easy to abuse.

Government figures show that almost one in four drivers killed in crashes last year were aged 70 or older. Overall, 1,633 people died on the roads in 2024 and more than 27,000 were seriously injured.

Lilian Greenwood, the local transport minister, said the aim is to protect lives without stripping older people of their independence. She said: "We know driving can be very important for older people's wellbeing and help them to live independently, but we must also make sure everyone is safe on our roads. As the country's older population grows, our plans in the first road safety strategy in more than a decade will preserve personal freedoms where possible with action to save lives."

The push for reform follows a series of inquests into fatal crashes involving drivers with failing eyesight. In one report sent to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, senior coroner Dr James Adeley warned that the UK’s rules were falling behind other countries. He said:

"Self-reporting of visual conditions permits drivers to lie about their current driving status to those performing an ophthalmic assessment and avoid warnings not to drive. Drivers may also admit they drive but then ignore instructions not to drive and fail to notify the DVLA."

The legal eyesight standard has barely changed since the 1930s and is based on being able to read a number plate from 20 metres away. Once a licence is issued, drivers are not routinely checked again unless they declare a problem themselves.

Motoring groups have largely welcomed the idea of compulsory eye tests. AA president Edmund King said: “A move to make eye tests for older drivers mandatory is obviously welcome, especially as the likelihood of crashes increases once someone is over the age of 70, and markedly shoots up over the age of 80 to a peak at age 86, with eyesight often a worrying factor. Eye tests are free for people over the age of 60 anyway and healthcare professionals advise them every two years given they can help with diagnosis of other underlying conditions."

The wider strategy goes beyond eyesight. Other proposals include lowering England’s drink-driving limit from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml to 22 micrograms to match Scotland’s, handing out penalty points for not wearing a seatbelt, and tougher action against uninsured drivers. Fines for some offences could rise to £600, and the government has not ruled out cognitive testing for older motorists in the future. Ministers hope the full package of measures will help reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035, with an even bigger reduction targeted for children.

Not everyone is convinced. Age UK has raised concerns that focusing on over-70s could be seen as ageist. Its charity director Caroline Abrahams said: "It is certainly good for our eye health as we age to have a regular eye test - every two years the NHS advises - but this doesn't automatically mean that a compulsory eye test at age 70 is appropriate." She added that eye problems can affect drivers of any age and questioned whether mandatory tests for older people alone would make a big difference.

The government is expected to publish full details of the reforms on Wednesday.