I do not see a problem with an eye test for over 70's (I'm rapidly approaching it   )  after all NHS eye tests are free for the over 60's currently.

 
In my view, ALL drivers should be required to pass a sight test, before a licence is granted, and every 10 years thereafter, and every few years for over 70s. those who pass, but only by a small margin, should be re tested more frequently.
All drivers involved in a serious accident should be tested for sight, and for general fitness to drive.

I have previously spoken in favour, of small lightweight, and speed limited cars, known in Europe as VSPs. drivers of such vehicles should still be subject to sight testing, but a slightly lower standard would be acceptable.

 
In context, I am aged 66 - never mind 'three score years and ten'. 

Until I retired recently, I was a grocery delivery van driver. In my most recent 'independent' assessment, by a qualified RAC examiner, he passed me, while suggesting that I could perhaps get my eyesight prescription checked.

I did so - and, to my surprise, found that my eyesight had actually improved slightly since my previous prescription.  One new pair of glasses later, I was very happy. 

CfN. 

 
From The Telegraph via Facebook


Yes - but if there is a significant risk of you changing the life of others you'll just have to accept the life change. Perhaps even see it as a new start or phase.  This story highlights the impact of the changes on people.   My understanding is that the proposal is not to take away license at 90, but to take away licenses if and when your reduced eyesight means you can no longer drive safely

 
An eyesight test that requires the driver to be able to read a numberplate at 20 metres is archaic: it has never has been fit for purpose and needs to be ... retired.

Also, does some consideration need to be given to driving with varifocals? They can be fine, but depending on the lens used, thinking of distance vision, not all varifocals provide good focus across a wide visual field. Many users of varifocals will be lifelong wearers of specs, which might indicate that sight tests and requirements shouldn't be tied to age but should apply to anyone who drives a vehicle.

Mark

 
I think this is a sensible requirement.  I have glaucoma and require a DVLA eye test every 3 years when my licence is renewed.

I would like to see requirements added for younger drivers that would prevent them taking passengers, under say 25, for 6 months after passing their test.

 
The three score and ten is vanishing in the rear view mirror.

I haven't driven in about 40 years, the driving licence acts as an ID, because of the strange attitude to such things in this country. Somebody said that their store loyalty card probably knows more about them than HMG.

I have no intention of ever driving again, the view from the bike definitely puts me off. I don't know about the eyesight of drivers, the main problem is the attitude of many which has little to do with age.

I was having my lunchtime break on one of my cycle rides and I said that "I haven't driven in about 40 years", and they kept repeating it during the rest of our conversation. Almost as thou I had been clean of some noxious substances. Shows how ingrained driving is to people lives.

 
Amazingly, I am nearing three score and ten myself. I have an annual eye test, and have no problem with sharing the result with DVSA. The optician always tells me whether I am legal to drive, with or as at present since the MkII eyeballs, without specs. I also have a routine monthly or so to self-assess. At our local market, I know where I can stand 25 metres from the closest car in the car park. Last weekend, I could read the number plate without problem, putting me 25% above the minimum. The I can't, or the optician advises me against driving, I will stop.

I knew two people who continued to drive after being registered blind, one of whom went so far as to decline the offer of early restoration of his licence after a ban, for fear of being found out. I also know at least two octogenarian pilots who are examined annually by a CAA approved examiner, and pass fit to fly. So let's not demonise the elderly for being old, but I am very much in favour of having to submit an eyesight test report when renewing ones driving licence at 70, and every 3 years thereafter, with proactive steps being taken to check licence holders who don't. I'm happy to be the first.

 
From statistics - a comparative graphic for rail deaths



Where the back bars are suicides and all other causes are combined into the blue.  This graphic is a year old and sadly the number of suicides has risen to 274 or 276 in the 2023/34 year depending on your source, with a further 22 for all other causes.

 
From The BBC


It does make sense to ensure that people remain fit to drive safely once given a license at any age, and I suppose there is statistical logic in having that checked at a certain age and periodically thereafter.

Personally, I am over 70 and had new glasses a couple of months ago.  And as part of the eye testing, the optician confirmed that my sight is still up to the standard required to drive.  I am, however, aware that this may not always be the case in coming years. 

I am an avid user of public transport, live very close to a bus stop with a good service during the day 6 days a week, and within walking distance of both a Sunday and evening bus stop, and a railway station who's timetable is thin but usable, even if its current lack of reliability requires one to always  have a backup plan.

I worry for some of my compatriots who are older than me and still drive themselves around in vehicles far bigger than they need, and who in some cases would not even consider using a bus.  As their ability to drive safely declines, they are going to have really significant lifestyle changes to make so as not to be trapped in their homes.

Interesting - for all this "number too high it has to stop" stuff.  I agree that number are too high. However - they are far lower than they used to be and are not rising.   Injury numbers are shocking - and looking around locally there remain accident black spots where improvements might well be just as (or more) effective than coming down harder on older drivers.  Of course, this is not an "either/or" and best to do both