UK’s system for verifying drivers’ eyesight ‘unsafe’, coroner rules after four people killed

The UK’s system for ensuring drivers have good eyesight is “unsafe”, a coroner has said.

Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire, made the remark at the inquests of four people killed by motorists whose vision was failing.

He said Britain’s licensing system was the “laxest in Europe” – and one of only three to allow eyesight conditions to be self-reported.

He also said it was concerning that the UK was the only European country to issue licences without any checks up to the age of 70.

Dr Adeley presided over the inquests in Preston of Marie Cunningham, 79, Grace Foulds, 85, Peter Westwell, 80, and Anne Ferguson, 75.

Mrs Cunningham and Mrs Foulds, who were friends, were struck by Glyn Jones, 68, in his Audi A3 as they crossed the road in Southport, Merseyside, in November 2021.

Jones was told by both his optician and GP on several occasions that his eyesight was well below the standard required for driving a vehicle after he was diagnosed with a severe eye condition.

But he ignored the warnings and did not inform the DVLA or insurers.

He was sentenced to seven years and four months in jail in January last year.

Mr Westwell was hit by Neil Pemberton, 81, as he crossed the road in Langho, near Blackburn, on 17 March 2022.

Mrs Ferguson died when she was struck by a van driven by Vernon Law, 72, in Whitworth, Rochdale, on 11 July 2023.

Dr Adeley said: “The four fatalities shared the same feature that the driver’s sight was well below the standard required to drive a car.

“The current system for ‘ensuring’ drivers meet the visual legal standards is ineffective, unsafe and unfit to meet the needs of society as evidenced by the deaths of [the four victims] where the DVLA continued to provide licences to drivers who had failed to meet the legal sight requirements.”

He added: “Self-reporting of visual conditions permits drivers to lie about their current driving status to those performing an ophthalmic assessment and avoid warnings not to drive.

“Drivers may also admit they drive but then ignore instructions not to drive and fail to notify the DVLA.”

worsening eyesight condition

Failure to tell the licensing agency of a new or worsening eyesight condition from the age of 70 is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £1,000 but the coroner pointed out: “However, as the DVLA have never referred a case to the police where a condition was not disclosed for consideration for a prosecution, this appears to be a sanction without teeth.”

Terry Wilcox, of Hudgell Solicitors, representing the families of Mrs Cunningham, Mrs Foulds and Mr Westwell, said: “People ignore what they are told when it doesn’t suit their lifestyle, and in reality there is nothing in place to stop selfish people putting others at risk by getting back behind the wheel.

“Best estimates are that around 2% of drivers would fail the driving eyesight test – which would equate to around 750,000 drivers and 4,250 journeys every day on the M25.

“It is quite frankly frightening.

“Essentially, the only proof of suitable eyesight drivers have to provide is on the day of their driving test, when a number plate has to be read from 20 metres away.

“If you pass your test at 17, you are not asked to provide real evidence or proof of your eyesight ability ever again.”

The Department for Transport said it would consider the coroner’s report once received.

A spokesperson added: “The NHS recommends adults should have their eyes tested every two years and drivers are legally required to inform the DVLA if they have a condition which affects their eyesight.”