New study highlights defective eyesight among UK drivers

The University of Warwick has conducted the UK’s largest roadside vision screening survey in collaboration with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Older Drivers Forum, and Eye Health UK.

The study involved conducting number plate tests on 3,010 drivers and found:

1.7% of drivers failed the test – the equivalent of 720,642 motorists
50% of those who failed the test were not using their required vision correction when stopped by the police
40% of motorists had not had a sight test in the last two years.

Dr Carol Hawley of Warwick Medical School wrote the report: “While most drivers passed, 96 required eyesight-related advice, and 50 drivers failed outright. Of these, 50% avoided a driving ban only because they had corrective glasses available to pass a second attempt.”

David Cartwright, optometrist and chair of Eye Health UK, emphasised the importance of regular eye tests: “Ninety per cent of the information needed for driving is visual. Even minor reductions in vision can impair reaction times, hazard recognition, and contrast sensitivity. Regular eye tests are essential to ensure safety on the roads.”

The report, titled Is Your Vision Roadworthy?, also includes insights from Terry Cunningham, whose mother and her friend were tragically killed by a motorist with vision so poor he “would not have managed to see the steering wheel of his vehicle clearly.” Cunningham expressed hope that the findings will raise awareness of motorists’ legal responsibility to ensure their vision is fit to drive.

Rob Heard, founder of the Older Drivers Forum, added: “This report underlines the need for regular sight tests to ensure driving safety and detect medical conditions that could impact vision.”