Drivers over 70 to face eye tests every three years

Drivers over the age of 70 will have to have their vision checked every three years, under plans to reform driving laws in Britain.

The changes are part of the government's new road safety strategy, which will be published on Wednesday.

Other proposed measures, which were first reported in August, include lowering the drink-driving limit in England to match the limit in Scotland, and giving penalty points for not wearing seatbelts.

Nearly one in four car drivers killed in 2024 were aged 70 or older, according to government figures.

Edmund King, president of the AA motoring organisation, said: "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.

"In fact, the AA advises everyone to have an eye test every two years."

Drivers in the UK must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away, according to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

But currently, drivers of any age are not required to prove their skills or health once they obtain their licence.

Drivers must tell the DVLA if they become unfit to drive, but this is a self-reporting system.

Lilian Greenwood, local transport minister, 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."

Last year, an inquest into the deaths of four people killed by drivers with failing vision said enforcement of eyesight standards on the roads was "ineffective and unsafe".

HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire Dr James Adeley pointed out that the UK was one of only three countries to rely on self-reporting of visual conditions affecting the ability to drive.

In the report, which was handed to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, 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."