As motorists get comfortable with travelling on the same routes daily, it is likely those only suffering from bad eyesight may not be aware of how badly they have been affected.
The new rule would ensure motorists have an eyesight test when they “first apply for a licence” and against at every renewal.
This is every 36 months for older road users above the age of 70, with tests to be required to keep hold of a licence every time.
The AOP explained: “The AOP is calling for drivers to be required by law to have their vision checked when they first apply for a licence, and also at licence renewal.
“This occurs every 10 years for most people, and every three years for those aged 70 and over.”
The AOP warns that 56% of opticians have at least one patient who continues to drive regardless of their poor vision.
This is a sharp increase from just 40% of experts when the survey was conducted back in 2019.
Among those polled, around 32% reported that the number of patients being advised not to get behind the wheel has risen over the past three years.
It is believed that as many as 29% of road users admitted they would continue to drive even with poor vision.
Meanwhile Siobhan Thomas, partner at Hugh James Serious Injury Team, recommended that motorists over 70 should undergo a vision test and cognitive check.
The Older Drivers Forum is also joining in the fight with founder Rob Heard also calling for changes.
He has previously stressed that the group has recommended compulsory eyesight tests at the age of 70 and then at every licence renewal.
It comes after he admitted that as many as one in ten road users in Britain could fail the basic standard number plate vision check.
He told The Times: “They think, I’m only going to the doctor, I’m only visiting a friend down the road. Some of those we test can’t read a number plate at three metres, or have lost their central vision and rely completely on peripheral vision.
“We estimate that 10 per cent of drivers at any time would fail the 20-metre number plate test. We’re one of the worst countries in Europe for eyesight regulation.”
