Insurer says defective vision costs millions

Poor driver vision costs the UK an estimated £33m a year and results in 2,900 casualties, according to a new report commissioned by insurer Royal Sun Alliance (RSA).

The report called for changes to UK law the insurer estimated would generate annual net savings to the UK economy rising to £14.4m by year 10.

Adrian Brown, RSA UK and Western Europe CEO, said: 'The report's figures speak for themselves. If we simply make an eye test mandatory when getting your first driving licence and when renewing every 10 years we will save lives and reduce the strain on public finances.'

Recommendations in the report, written by Deloitte as part of RSA's Fit to Drive campaign launched at Westminster last week, were for the number plate test to be scrapped and all learner drivers to have vision tested by a qualified professional prior to provisional driving licence application. Introducing mandatory eye tests every 10 years linked to driving licence renewal was also recommended.