Mandatory eye test for the over 70s
Discussion
Inbox said:
It is rather ironic that you can't fail a standard eye test.
All it would do is confirm whether a person's eye sight meets a minimum requirement in this case to drive.
Will the 'test' in this case be something that is more specific to driving or is the 'I can read a number plate at 20m' test sufficient?
The existing legal requirement is the 'I can read a number plate at 20m' test AND visual acuity must be at least Snellen 6/12 with both eyes open (which is slightly easier than the number plate test).All it would do is confirm whether a person's eye sight meets a minimum requirement in this case to drive.
Will the 'test' in this case be something that is more specific to driving or is the 'I can read a number plate at 20m' test sufficient?
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assessi...
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
Most of the accidents near me seem to be caused by an elderly person driving an automatic and getting the accelerator and brake confused and crashing into the wall of a multi story car park, a garden wall, a shop or a tree.
seen four near me in the last few years.
Locally, these incidents seem restricted women in their 30s rather than elderly. Distractions, apparently...seen four near me in the last few years.
markymarkthree said:
JD82 said:
Why 70?
Makes sense, as that is when you have to start renewing your license on a regular basis. I've only ever driven with glasses or contacts lenses ever since, and now licences have to be renewed every 10 years anyway why not make it compulsory at each renewal?
Standard here in Canada.
A more important tester is now at 80 when you are tested for a few things including cognitive ability which seems quite sensible to me. At 76 I am very comfortable to have this done. I do think a retest at some senior age is a good thing - people age differently and I have seen this with my MiL a number of years ago getting lost while out on a drive.
Personally I am OK but probably not going to have too many more Nürburgring trips but planning a number of road trips through Portugal and possibly South America
.
A more important tester is now at 80 when you are tested for a few things including cognitive ability which seems quite sensible to me. At 76 I am very comfortable to have this done. I do think a retest at some senior age is a good thing - people age differently and I have seen this with my MiL a number of years ago getting lost while out on a drive.
Personally I am OK but probably not going to have too many more Nürburgring trips but planning a number of road trips through Portugal and possibly South America
.
There should be a test for being a cretin, like the woman int he Mini that ploughed across the gym car park and emerged into my path from between two parked cars yesterday evening, how do you miss the bright red noisy thing and why do you not use the actual road provided ?
Middle aged lady in a Mini, suppose makes a change from the twenty something gym bros trying to hot the land speed record across the car park, intent on getting to a machine so they can sit fannying about with their mobile for an hour or two.
Eyesight is only one part, helps if you actually use them !
Middle aged lady in a Mini, suppose makes a change from the twenty something gym bros trying to hot the land speed record across the car park, intent on getting to a machine so they can sit fannying about with their mobile for an hour or two.
Eyesight is only one part, helps if you actually use them !
That and the fact they don't teach people to drive anymore, they just teach them to steer. Apparently, working out where to put the oil and how to change a tyre is far more important - which is cobblers because my eldest step daughter still couldn't tell me where to put the oil in her car, not that she would put any in anyway, she'll just drive it until it seizes solid - than actually learning to drive.
In my case, rapidly approaching my 60th year, i know my reactions are rubbish and i've adjusted my driving accordingly and due to deterioating eyesight, i now wear glasses permanently and have to have eye tests yearly due to family history of glaucoma but i've told the wife, the second i start driving dangerously for other road users, tell me and i'll voluntarily surrender my licence.
In my case, rapidly approaching my 60th year, i know my reactions are rubbish and i've adjusted my driving accordingly and due to deterioating eyesight, i now wear glasses permanently and have to have eye tests yearly due to family history of glaucoma but i've told the wife, the second i start driving dangerously for other road users, tell me and i'll voluntarily surrender my licence.
slopes said:
That and the fact they don't teach people to drive anymore, they just teach them to steer. Apparently, working out where to put the oil and how to change a tyre is far more important - which is cobblers because my eldest step daughter still couldn't tell me where to put the oil in her car, not that she would put any in anyway, she'll just drive it until it seizes solid - than actually learning to drive.
In my case, rapidly approaching my 60th year, i know my reactions are rubbish and i've adjusted my driving accordingly and due to deterioating eyesight, i now wear glasses permanently and have to have eye tests yearly due to family history of glaucoma but i've told the wife, the second i start driving dangerously for other road users, tell me and i'll voluntarily surrender my licence.
There’s a sub-Reddit (I can’t remember whether it’s UK drivers or UK learners) which keeps showing up in my feed. It’s full of people having just passed their test who find they’re unable to use the clutch in their Citroen/Peugeot/whatever having apparently only ever driven their instructor’s diesel. It’s almost painful reading the “tips” from other similarly new and incompetent drivers.In my case, rapidly approaching my 60th year, i know my reactions are rubbish and i've adjusted my driving accordingly and due to deterioating eyesight, i now wear glasses permanently and have to have eye tests yearly due to family history of glaucoma but i've told the wife, the second i start driving dangerously for other road users, tell me and i'll voluntarily surrender my licence.
bergclimber34 said:
Not just the over 70s, you can literally see people who struggle with visibility, especially at night.
Is that an eye issue or a problem with the processing unit they're plumbed into? There are lots of perfectly good eyes that are wired into brains that are suboptimal whether naturally or due to consumption. The reason they are settling on an age floor of 70 is that this is around the time that relevant issues present:
Cataracts:
Early stages:
Cataracts can begin to develop in people's 40s and 50s, but these early cataracts may not significantly impact vision.
Prevalence increases with age:
The likelihood of developing cataracts increases significantly with age, with nearly half of people 75 and older having them.
Age-related cataracts:
Most cataracts are age-related, meaning they develop due to normal changes in the eye's lens over time.
Glaucoma:
Increased risk with age:
While glaucoma can occur at any age, the risk increases significantly after age 40, according to a YouTube video from MyEyeDr.
More common after 60:
Glaucoma is generally more common after the age of 60.
Primary congenital glaucoma:
In babies and young children, glaucoma can occur due to improper eye development in the womb.
Risk factors:
Besides age, other factors can increase the risk of glaucoma, including race, family history, high eye pressure, and certain medical conditions like diabetes.
This is what they're seeking to catch rather than people just needing glasses. It's the issues that aren't just fixed by turning oneself into a Joe 90 speccy t
t. J4CKO said:
Come on PHers, lets hear when you last had an eye test ?
Ill start, 21/03/2025.
I am quite on it, I cant abide feeling that my vision isnt as good as it could be so booked one, wasnt due, went up a quarter of a diopter in my right eye which fixed it.
Early June. Unchanged since June 23.Ill start, 21/03/2025.
I am quite on it, I cant abide feeling that my vision isnt as good as it could be so booked one, wasnt due, went up a quarter of a diopter in my right eye which fixed it.
J4CKO said:
Come on PHers, lets hear when you last had an eye test ?
Ill start, 21/03/2025.
I am quite on it, I cant abide feeling that my vision isnt as good as it could be so booked one, wasnt due, went up a quarter of a diopter in my right eye which fixed it.
Because of an underlying medical condition I get mine done once a year... And not a cursory test from Specsavers, I see a specialist. Dialating eye drops mean I'm not allowed to drive for the rest of the day (reading is difficult too). Ill start, 21/03/2025.
I am quite on it, I cant abide feeling that my vision isnt as good as it could be so booked one, wasnt due, went up a quarter of a diopter in my right eye which fixed it.
What do I win
J4CKO said:
Come on PHers, lets hear when you last had an eye test ?
Ill start, 21/03/2025.
I am quite on it, I cant abide feeling that my vision isnt as good as it could be so booked one, wasnt due, went up a quarter of a diopter in my right eye which fixed it.
14/03/2024. Both 0.0 for SPHIll start, 21/03/2025.
I am quite on it, I cant abide feeling that my vision isnt as good as it could be so booked one, wasnt due, went up a quarter of a diopter in my right eye which fixed it.
24/01/2023 eye test to get some Zeiss DriveSafe (night lenses for reducing glare). Plus 0.25 SPH on right, and 0.0 SPH on left.
12/07/2021 both 0.0 for SPH
22/03/2019 both 0.0 for SPH
22/03/2018 minus 0.25 SPH for Right. 0.0 for Left
28/01/2016 both 0.0 for SPH
Near vision is 2.25
J4CKO said:
Come on PHers, lets hear when you last had an eye test ?
Ill start, 21/03/2025.
I am quite on it, I cant abide feeling that my vision isnt as good as it could be so booked one, wasnt due, went up a quarter of a diopter in my right eye which fixed it.
14/03/25, still fine for distance, screen use specs have gotten a little stronger as my left eye isn't as good as my right. (I have someway to go before I am 70 though Ill start, 21/03/2025.
I am quite on it, I cant abide feeling that my vision isnt as good as it could be so booked one, wasnt due, went up a quarter of a diopter in my right eye which fixed it.
)Edited by geeks on Tuesday 12th August 11:13
Inbox said:
Well being an older driver is something younger drivers can look forward to.
Then they will have future younger drivers telling them they are dangerous and should be banned from the roads to look forward to.
Younger drivers will just be travelling in the back of portaloos when they're elderly. Then they will have future younger drivers telling them they are dangerous and should be banned from the roads to look forward to.
captain_cynic said:
Because of an underlying medical condition I get mine done once a year... And not a cursory test from Specsavers, I see a specialist. Dialating eye drops mean I'm not allowed to drive for the rest of the day (reading is difficult too).
What do I win
I used an independent purely to get my Zeiss lenses, but I find our Specsavers are pretty thorough, far from cursory.What do I win
Last eye test in April. Prescription not changed in 5 years. Wear glasses for driving but not needed for other times; except reading. I've had cataract op in both eyes (12 years ago?). No medical condition affecting driving. I'm 78.
Had a one hour Mature Driver Assessment in May. Only fault was 28 in a short section of 20mph limit & it was suggested I could use nearside mirror more. Able to read numberplate at 20m checked before drive.
Had a one hour Mature Driver Assessment in May. Only fault was 28 in a short section of 20mph limit & it was suggested I could use nearside mirror more. Able to read numberplate at 20m checked before drive.
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