Why Regular Eye Tests Are More Important Than Ever – Especially for Drivers Over 70

A new government road safety strategy could soon make compulsory eye tests for drivers over the age of 70 a legal requirement. The proposals come after a series of tragic incidents involving drivers with poor eyesight, which led a coroner to describe the UK’s current licensing system as the “laxest in Europe”.

At Lesley Cree Opticians, we’ve recently seen an increase in patients over 70 who are taking proactive steps to check their vision—many concerned about how the proposed changes could affect their independence and ability to drive.

Why the Law Is Changing

Currently, the UK relies on drivers self-reporting eyesight problems and completing a basic number plate test at 20 metres. Unlike most European countries, drivers are not required to provide formal evidence of an eye test when renewing their licence.

This system has been shown to leave significant gaps in road safety. Studies suggest that poor vision is a factor in thousands of accidents each year, with more than 60 road deaths recorded in the last decade where defective eyesight was a key cause.

With age-related conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration becoming more common over 70, the government is now preparing to introduce tougher requirements, including mandatory sight tests at every licence renewal from age 70 onwards.

What This Means for Drivers Over 70

The proposed changes don’t mean an automatic ban for older drivers. Instead, the focus is on ensuring people meet the legal eyesight standards and can continue driving safely. In many cases, vision can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or timely treatment for conditions like cataracts.

Compulsory testing is designed to protect both drivers and other road users. As AA President Edmund King recently said, compulsory eye tests are “a small price to pay” for safety.

Why Regular Eye Tests Matter – At Any Age

While the spotlight is on drivers over 70, everyone should have an eye test at least every two years. This isn’t just about reading the letters on the chart – a comprehensive sight test also checks the health of your eyes and can detect early signs of serious conditions, often before symptoms are noticed.

For drivers, the benefits are clear:

• Ensuring legal driving vision standards are met – being able to read a number plate at 20 metres and achieving the minimum 6/12 Snellen standard.
• Protecting independence – identifying and treating issues early can help drivers stay safe on the roads for longer.
• Preventing accidents – many vision problems develop gradually, meaning drivers may not realise their sight has deteriorated until it’s too late.

Take Control of Your Eye Health

Recent surveys show that nearly a third of motorists would continue driving even if they knew their vision was below the legal standard. At Lesley Cree Opticians, we believe that regular sight tests are the simplest and most effective way of protecting yourself, your loved ones, and other road users.

If you’re over 70, now is the perfect time to book an appointment. By having your eyes checked regularly, you’ll have peace of mind that your vision meets the required standard – and you’ll also benefit from early detection of conditions that could affect your long-term eye health.

Why Lesley Cree Opticians

At Lesley Cree Opticians Radcliffe practice, we use the Optos Monaco eye scanner – one of the most advanced diagnostic tools available – to help detect the earliest signs of glaucoma and other eye conditions.

This cutting-edge technology combines ultra-widefield retinal imaging with OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography), allowing us to view more of the back of your eye in incredible detail. At our Keyworth and Ruddington practices we use digital photography and OCT scanning to analyse the retina in detail.  We are able to identify even the smallest changes or abnormalities that could indicate the onset of glaucoma, often before any symptoms appear. The scans are quick, non-invasive, and gives our expert team the best chance of catching potential risks early – helping to protect your vision for the long term.

If you have any concerns about your eye health, early detection is key to preventing vision loss. Schedule an appointment at one of our practices today:

Radcliffe: 0115 933 2999
Keyworth: 0115 937 5521
Ruddington: 0115 921 2992

Book your eye test with Lesley Cree Opticians today – because good vision keeps you safe, confident, and independent on the road.