Drivers May Be Fined RM5,500 For Failing Roadside Eye Tests In The UK
Every year, 3,000 people in the UK are injured or killed due to drivers with poor vision.
By Laila Zain — 15 Jan 2025, 10:38 AM
Motorists in the UK are being warned of a £1,000 (RM5,500) fine if they fail roadside eyesight tests, as police step up efforts to tackle dangerous driving
Drivers must meet the legal "standard of vision for driving", which includes the ability to read a number plate from 20m away.
Those requiring glasses or contact lenses to meet this standard are legally obligated to wear them while driving. Failing to do so could result in severe penalties, including fines and potential driving bans.
Data from the Association of Optometrists (AOP) reveals over 2,000 UK drivers were involved in accidents due to poor vision, leading to nearly 3,000 casualties
"These strict regulations and new roadside checks are designed to increase road safety and make sure everyone on the road is fit to drive," said Ian Wilson, Managing Director and car insurance expert at Tiger.co.uk.
"Maintaining good eye health is essential for driving and key to passing these roadside eye tests. Regular eye tests can detect vision loss and eye problems earlier, while also ensuring you have the correct prescription for glasses or contact lenses," he added.
The UK is one of the few countries in Europe where drivers are not required to take additional vision tests after obtaining their licence
The AOP has proposed that drivers have their eyes tested at least every two years, as well as when they renew their licence every 10 years. For drivers above the age of 70, license renewal is required every three years.
"It's deeply concerning that a 17-year-old who can read a number plate from 20 metres away when they take their driving test, may continue to drive with no further checks for the rest of their life," said Adam Sampson, chief executive of the AOP, as quoted by GB News.
"We have to ask ourselves why the UK system, which relies on self-reporting and a number plate test, continues to operate under a law first introduced in 1937 to the detriment of individuals' safety," Sampson concluded.
