UK Road Safety Overhaul: Mandatory Eye Tests for Drivers Over 70 to Tackle Rising Casualties

In a landmark move poised to redefine road safety across the United Kingdom, the government is preparing to roll out a comprehensive new strategy, with a particular focus on the visual acuity of its most experienced drivers. Central to these reforms are proposals for mandatory eye tests for all drivers aged 70 and over, a measure widely anticipated to be a cornerstone of the national effort to drastically reduce road fatalities and serious injuries.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander articulated the gravity of the situation, stating, “Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities. For too long, progress on road safety has stalled. This strategy marks a turning point.” Indeed, the ambition is clear: to slash deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by an ambitious 65% by 2035, with an even more stringent 70% reduction target for children under 16. This initiative comes at a critical juncture, as road safety progress has remained stagnant for over a decade, despite an overall decline in fatalities since 1979.

The Stalled Progress and the Human Cost

For years, the narrative of road safety in the UK has been one of concerning stagnation. After decades of consistent improvement, the period since 2010 has seen little advancement, raising alarms among policymakers and motoring experts alike. In 2024 alone, an estimated 1,602 individuals tragically lost their lives on Great Britain’s roads, a mere 1% decrease from the previous year, highlighting the urgent need for a renewed approach. The Daily Mail further reported that 1,633 people died and over 27,000 were seriously injured in road traffic accidents in 2024, equating to one casualty every 18 minutes.

A significant, and increasingly scrutinised, factor in these statistics is the involvement of older drivers. Government figures reveal a stark reality: nearly one in four car drivers killed in 2024 were aged 70 or older. Furthermore, 12% of all casualties in car collisions involved older drivers. These numbers paint a clear picture of a demographic disproportionately affected by, and involved in, serious road incidents. AA president Edmund King underscored this trend, noting that the likelihood of crashes “increases at the age of 70 and markedly shoots up over the age of 80,” peaking around 86, with “eyesight often a worrying factor.”

A critical flaw in the existing regulatory framework, which has allowed this issue to persist, is the reliance on self-reporting. Under current UK law, drivers are not subjected to mandatory checks of their skills or health once they obtain their initial licence, irrespective of their age. The onus falls entirely on individuals to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they become unfit to drive. However, as HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire, Dr. James Adeley, powerfully articulated in April 2025, “Self-reporting of visual conditions permits drivers to lie about their current driving status.” This stark assessment, echoed in 12 prevention of future deaths reports since 2019, underscored the system’s vulnerability to abuse and its inherent dangers. Dr. Adeley’s concerns were further amplified by specific inquests, detailed by the Daily Mail, into the deaths of four individuals – Mary Cunningham (79), Grace Foulds (85), Anne Ferguson (75), and Peter Westwell (80) – all tragically killed by drivers with severely defective eyesight who had failed to report their conditions. The UK, Dr. Adeley pointed out, stands as one of only three European countries still relying on this antiquated and demonstrably “ineffective and unsafe” method for assessing drivers’ visual fitness, a standard that has remained largely unchanged since the 1930s.

A Clearer Vision for Driver Safety: Mandatory Eye Tests

Against this backdrop of concerning statistics and regulatory shortcomings, the proposal for mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70 emerges as a pivotal reform. Under the new plans, drivers in this age bracket would be required to undergo an eye test every three years upon licence renewal, a significant departure from the current self-reporting model. This move is not only welcomed by motoring organisations but has been actively championed by professional bodies within the optical sector.

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) and the College of Optometrists have been vocal advocates for such reforms for years. They have consistently called for a mandatory requirement for all drivers to submit evidence of a recent eye test at initial licence application and at every renewal, with a more frequent schedule – every three years – for those aged 70 and above. Daniel Hardiman-McCartney, MBE, clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists, lauded the proposed change as a “simple and practical step that would support road safety and improve the nation’s eye health.” He highlighted the natural increase in age-related eye conditions and general vision deterioration, making regular checks essential. Dr. Peter Hampson, clinical and policy director at the Association of Optometrists, further emphasized that “Sight often deteriorates gradually, meaning drivers may not realise their vision no longer meets legal standards.”

The practical implementation of these tests is also made more accessible by existing provisions. As Edmund King of the AA pointed out, “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.” Indeed, NHS eye tests are free for over-60s across the UK, with Scotland extending this to all age groups. This accessibility mitigates potential financial barriers for older drivers. The sentiment among the public also leans towards greater scrutiny. Moira Hutchings, a 71-year-old from Farnborough, told the BBC that eye tests for older drivers were “definitely a good idea,” stating, “How anyone cannot, at my age, be checked out is beyond me.” This reflects a growing understanding that driving is a privilege that comes with a profound responsibility for public safety, a responsibility that demands regular assessment of one’s fitness to operate what some, like Ms. Hutchings, describe as “lethal weapons.”

A Broader Horizon for Road Safety: Accompanying Reforms

While mandatory eye tests for older drivers are a significant focus, they are part of a much wider, multi-faceted road safety strategy. The government’s overhaul extends to several other critical areas, demonstrating a holistic commitment to making Britain’s roads safer for everyone. Among the anticipated reforms are:

• Tougher Penalties for Uninsured Drivers: With an estimated 300,000 uninsured drivers on Britain’s roads daily, current penalties are seen as insufficient. Ministers are reportedly considering doubling the upfront fine to £600, exceeding the average premium cost, to act as a stronger deterrent.
• Reducing the Drink-Drive Limit: England and Wales may see their drink-drive limit lowered to align with Scotland’s stricter standard of 22 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath. This move, advocated by road safety campaigners, police chiefs, and the British Medical Association (BMA), acknowledges that even a single pint could be risky for some individuals.
• Alcolocks for Convicted Drink-Drivers: The introduction of “alcohol interlocks” or alcolocks – breathalyser devices that prevent a vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected – is being considered. Supported by motoring groups like the RAC, these devices have a proven track record in other countries for reducing repeat drink-driving offences.
• Harsher Penalties for Not Wearing Seatbelts: Ministers are exploring tougher punishments for seatbelt non-compliance, potentially introducing penalty points for the first time. The AA has even called for six points for new drivers who flout this rule, given the disproportionate number of young unbelted fatalities.
• Restrictions on Dazzling Headlights: Following government-commissioned research confirming that brighter headlights increase glare for oncoming drivers, new rules are being considered. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has already stepped up efforts to intercept illegal retrofit bulbs, with fines up to £1,000.

These complementary measures underscore the government’s comprehensive vision, addressing various facets of driver behaviour, vehicle safety, and infrastructure to achieve its ambitious casualty reduction targets.

Navigating the Social Landscape: Concerns and Community Support

While the overwhelming sentiment among road safety advocates and healthcare professionals is one of support for these reforms, particularly the eye tests, the societal implications for older drivers have not gone unaddressed. Age UK, a leading charity for older people, initially raised concerns about potential discrimination. Caroline Abrahams, its charity director, told the Daily Mail, “It is certainly good for our eye health as we age to have a regular eye test… but this doesn’t automatically mean that a compulsory eye test at age 70 is appropriate.”

However, Age UK later clarified its position, supporting the principle of enhancing road safety while emphasizing the critical need for robust support systems for older individuals who may, as a result of these tests, be deemed unfit to drive and surrender their licences. Prof. Andrew Steptoe, director of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, highlighted this crucial aspect: “If more older people are unable to drive, efforts need to be made to offset any reductions in social contact and to maintain active engagement with friends, family and the community.” This perspective acknowledges that losing the ability to drive can have profound impacts on an older person’s independence, social connections, and overall well-being. The challenge, therefore, lies not just in implementing stricter safety measures, but in simultaneously building community resources and alternative transport solutions to ensure that enhancing road safety does not inadvertently lead to social isolation for a vulnerable demographic.

Ultimately, the new strategy seeks a delicate balance: safeguarding all road users through preventative measures while ensuring that those most affected by the changes are supported. It’s a complex equation, but one that the UK government is determined to solve as it strives for a safer, more responsible driving culture.

The UK government’s impending road safety strategy, with its cornerstone proposal of mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70, represents a pivotal and long-overdue shift from reactive measures to proactive prevention. By directly addressing the documented failures of the self-reporting system and acknowledging the clear statistical link between age-related vision decline and road incidents, the strategy demonstrates a commendable commitment to public safety. However, its true success will hinge not only on rigorous enforcement but also on the compassionate implementation of support mechanisms, ensuring that the necessary pursuit of safer roads does not inadvertently marginalise or isolate older members of society. This holistic approach, integrating both stringent regulation and social responsibility, is essential for fostering a truly sustainable and equitable culture of road safety for all.