Top News

Pensioners over the age of 70 could be at "severe" risk of a common health concern more prevalent in older road users. Thousands of motorists have already been taken off the roads due to concerns about their eyesight, as vision deteriorates with age.

New DVLA data has revealed that 32,944 British motorists had their driving licences revoked or applications rejected due to eyesight concerns over the past four years. Although eyesight issues can affect road users of any age, a deep dive shows that older motorists and state pensioners are disproportionately affected.

Drivers aged between 70 and 79 were the demographic most at risk, accounting for a staggering 10,794 cases. A further 8,060 driving licences were cancelled for drivers aged between 80 and 89, with 1,202 over-90s off the roads.

Simon England, an expert and founder at ALA Insurance, said that road users with poor vision were putting their safety at risk.

He said: "Losing your licence is life-changing, but the safety risk of driving with impaired vision is even more severe. The difficulty is that eyesight often deteriorates so slowly that we don't notice the change in our day-to-day lives. By the time you realise you're struggling to read a road sign, you may have already been driving below the legal limit for some time."

Poor eyesight increases the risk, as road users may be unable to see vital hazards. Motorists found behind the wheel with defective vision could be slapped with a £1,000 fine and three penalty points.

Police have the authority to conduct immediate roadside eyesight tests, and individuals who fail the 20-metre number plate test are likely to have their licences revoked on the spot.

However, eyesight rules could change, with the Department for Transport (DfT) currently consulting on new laws. The DfT stressed that the prevalence of eye conditions and the rate of visual decline can accelerate as people get older.

The changes could see eyesight checks become mandatory for motorists over 70, with tests likely to be required every three years to renew a licence.