The Case For Tougher Eye Tests

Campaigners are claiming that they are slowly winning the argument against the Government to introduce more advanced eyesight tests for drivers. Currently drivers only have to read a number plate that is 20.5 metres away with glasses or lenses if you are required to have them and that’s it, no other required checks not even for 70 year old drivers who reapply for their licence they merely just have to tick a box.

Only 2,000 people fail this but its suggested four million motorists don’t meet the legal sight requirements according to studies, RSA launched its Fit to Drive campaign a few years ago and they are now calling for the 20.5m reading a number plate test to be scrapped and replaced by a proper eye test by a professional and they want this done prior to applying for a provisional licence they are also calling for a mandatory eye test every 10 years which to me seems reasonable.

Down to recent research it has been found that if this idea of a more frequent eye test was to come into place then it would bring the total cost of road accidents down to £33 million per year, which is significantly lower. The reason of opposition from the Government is the cost to them as it is estimated this would take 500,000 eye sight tests per year costing around £13.2m meaning the cost to the government will be £8m. However if they were to stick with it the profits would outweigh the costs however it would take 10 years to see any major results in terms of profit for the government which is likely why they are not fully on board with the idea.

There’s a slight reluctant by the DVLA to get rid of the number plate test because of how simple and easy it is as well as not being nearly as time consuming as however they do admit as well as many that the test is outdated with it being introduced in the 1950s. Campaigners realise this could be a long war to rage so right now they are realistically just aiming at making people aware as since the 1950s there has been a huge increase in numbers of vehicles on the road and the speed they can travel and drivers need to adapt to this change, they also appeal that there is a role for businesses to play who have employees that drive their vehicles, get their eyes checked.