Older drivers should be forced to have their eyesight tested to renew their driving licence with the introduction of a new national database, according to a leading campaigner.
James Luckhurst, road safety adviser for GEM Motoring Assist has called for drivers above the age of 70 to have their vision checked “more often” than every three years.
Meanwhile, he has also pushed for the introduction of a national portal where opticians could upload eye test details which are passed over to the DVLA.
These could then be checked alongside driving licence applications to make sure only motorists with healthy vision stay on the roads.
Under current rules, older drivers only have to declare they are fit to drive meaning many individuals at risk could slip through the bet.
James admitted checks were something that had to come into effect when asked if he backed the idea of mandatory eye testing.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, James said: “It will be difficult to implement but I think it’s vital.
“Relating to how our eyesight changes, it’s really important to know that we do not know what changes have occurred.”
He added: “We’ve got to take more responsibility and at the moment we get this opportunity every three years for the age of 70 just to sign a form to say we are fit to drive and our vision is okay.
“But, I think GEM would join every road safety organisation in saying there needs to be a test.
“You need to go to an optician however often. Whether it’s every three years. But we would probably say it has to be more often if you’re over 70.
“You would do a proper test and it’s signed. These days there could be a national database, opticians could log in and do it so they’d be no monkey business.
“There would be no opportunity to bypass whatever systems there are and that would just confirm your vision is adequate for driving. It’s a really important thing.”
Earlier this year, the AA threw their support behind eyesight tests for elderly road users. President Edmund King confirmed over 70s receiving a regular eye test when renewing their licence would help to “improve road safety”.
A recent YouGov poll found 65 percent of British adults would back drivers aged 70 or above retaking a practical driving test every three years to keep their licence.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, did not support older drivers having to retake their driving test completely but, he did back the possibility of compulsory eyesight checks at the point of a driving licence renewal.
Mr Luckhurst told Express.co.uk: “Vision changes with age, we are all different so the changes in our vision. You can’t generalise but it’s really important to get regular eye tests. Not just to gloss over it and assume that it’s going to be okay.”
