In an open letter to the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, the Association of Optometrists (AOP) and The College of Optometrists have called for mandatory vision checks at first licence application and every renewal.
The move followed an inquest brought by HM senior coroner for Lancashire, Dr James Adeley, into the deaths of four people killed by drivers with failing sight, warning that enforcement of visual legal standards for motorists was ‘ineffective and unsafe’.
The AOP and The College, who gave expert evidence at the inquest, said that vision-related accidents were preventable with simple, evidence-based legislative changes.
‘The UK’s approach is out of step with best practice internationally and the current vision standards mean UK drivers do not undergo an objective measure of vision and assessment of eye health.
‘With over 7,000 optometry practices nationwide, optometrists are well placed to support the delivery of these checks swiftly and effectively…Lives can and must be saved by ensuring no driver with unsafe vision remains on the road unchecked,’ the letter stated.
