Call for compulsory drivers' eye tests

Drivers can go without an eye test for 53 years

One in 10 drivers can barely read a number plate from the minimum distance required by law, random eyesight tests found.

Eyesight charity, the Eyecare Trust, teamed up with the police to stop drivers and carry out spot checks.

They found 4.8% of the 546 people asked were unable to read a number plate 67ft or 20.5m away, while 9.7% struggled to make out the letters.

One man had to be taken within two metres of the number plate in order to be able to read it.

Drivers' vision

It is a criminal offence to drive a motor vehicle if you cannot read a standard number plate in good daylight from 20.5m (67 feet), using glasses if necessary

Source: DVLA

The charity says the results suggest 3.5 million drivers in Britain cannot see well enough to be safe on the roads.

Sergeant John Roberts, of West Mercia police, one of the five forces which took part in the survey, said people driving with uncorrected defective eyesight were liable to a fine of up to £1,000, three penalty points and possible disqualification.

"Drivers who fail to meet the required standards are breaking the law every time them drive and run the risk of causing death or serious injury," he said.

Compulsory test

In the survey, one in nine drivers admitted they had never had their eyes tested.

And a further 20% said it was five years since they had last had a test.

The Eyecare Trust is campaigning to make regular eye tests compulsory for all drivers.

It plans to present its research to the all-party parliamentary group for eye health.

Opticians Specsavers, which was also involved in the survey, said the current vision standard for the driving test, which was set in 1935, is out of date.

Optometrist Paul Carroll said: "As the law stands, a driver may not have to submit to a compulsory eye test for up to 53 years - between taking a driving test at the age of 17 and the age of 70.

"We believe this is inadequate, especially as sight generally deteriorates with age."

The roadside survey was carried out between March and August 2002 in Worcestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Leicester, Loughborough, Surrey and Norfolk.