UK: Coroner labels driver eyesight tests ‘unsafe’ after fatal accidents

The UK’s system for verifying drivers’ eyesight is “unsafe,” according to a senior coroner, following the deaths of four people in separate incidents involving motorists with impaired vision.

Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire, made the comments during inquests held in Preston for Marie Cunningham, 79, Grace Foulds, 85, Peter Westwell, 80, and Anne Ferguson, 75. The victims were all struck and killed by drivers who had significant, known eyesight issues.

Adeley described the UK’s licensing system as the “laxest in Europe.” He noted that it is one of only three European countries that rely on self-reporting for vision-related conditions.

He also pointed out that the UK is the only European country issuing driving licences without mandatory eyesight checks up to the age of 70.

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Cunningham and Foulds, close friends, were hit by 68-year-old Glyn Jones in his Audi A3 while crossing a road in Southport, Merseyside, in November 2021.

Jones had been diagnosed with a severe eye condition. Despite repeated warnings from both his GP and optician that his eyesight fell below the legal standard for driving, he continued to drive without notifying the DVLA or his insurers.

He was sentenced in January 2024 to seven years and four months in prison.

Westwell died after being struck by Neil Pemberton, 81, in Langho, near Blackburn, on 17 March 2022.

Ferguson was killed when she was hit by a van driven by 72-year-old Vernon Law in Whitworth, Rochdale, on 11 July 2023.

“All four fatalities shared the same feature — that the driver’s sight was well below the standard required to drive a car.

“The current system for ‘ensuring’ drivers meet the visual legal standards is ineffective, unsafe and unfit to meet the needs of society as evidenced by the deaths of [the four victims] where the DVLA continued to provide licences to drivers who had failed to meet the legal sight requirements.”

Adeley also criticised the self-reporting system.

“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,” Adeley said.

Although it is a criminal offence to fail to report a serious eyesight condition after the age of 70 — punishable by a fine of up to £1,000 — Dr Adeley pointed out, “However, as the DVLA have never referred a case to the police where a condition was not disclosed for consideration for a prosecution, this appears to be a sanction without teeth.”

Terry Wilcox, of Hudgell Solicitors, represented the families of Mrs Cunningham, Mrs Foulds, and Mr Westwell.

“People ignore what they are told when it doesn’t suit their lifestyle, and in reality there is nothing in place to stop selfish people putting others at risk by getting back behind the wheel.q

“Best estimates are that around 2% of drivers would fail the driving eyesight test – which would equate to around 750,000 drivers and 4,250 journeys every day on the M25. It is quite frankly frightening.

“Essentially, the only proof of suitable eyesight drivers have to provide is on the day of their driving test, when a number plate has to be read from 20 metres away. If you pass your test at 17, you are not asked to provide real evidence or proof of your eyesight ability ever again,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport responded: “The NHS recommends adults should have their eyes tested every two years and drivers are legally required to inform the DVLA if they have a condition which affects their eyesight.”

They added that the department would consider the coroner’s report once received.

(Sky News)

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