RCO rejects mandatory driver screening idea

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO) has stated it would not support the introduction of a mandatory optometrist-led screening programme for drivers, describing such a scheme as ‘time-consuming, expensive and inefficient in reducing the accident rate’.

Ophthalmologists Andrew Elliot and Bill Newman from the RCO Vision Standards Panel, who are also on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency vision panel, said: ‘As a contribution to the cause of accidents, alcohol, age (young and old), experience and distraction/attention issues are likely significantly more important than reduced visual acuity alone.’

They added that the workload engendered by mandatory regular testing wherever it was performed would be a significant expense for the driver.

In May 2011, by contrast, the Irish College of Ophthalmologists stated that ‘vision is the most important source of information when driving, so visual assessment for driving is a major public health issue.’ It added: ‘The measurement of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, fields of view, twilight vision and vision under glare conditions are important.’

The RCO supported the view that the UK’s current number-plate test, performed at 20m for the smaller font size, remained an appropriate screening test, citing that it was well accepted. ‘Drivers failing this test could then have a further assessment using a formal vision test, eg a Snellen chart and 6/12 would be the required standard as required by the European Directive.

They added: ‘Everyone, particularly over the age of 40, is already encouraged to have regular sight tests by their own optometrists and this already provides optometrists with the opportunity to discuss driving issues with patients.’