Calls for mandatory eyesight tests for elderly drivers to save lives
It comes after a landmark inquest in Lancashire into four deaths caused by drivers with poor eyesight.
There are warnings that people will continue to lose their lives on our roads if mandatory eyesight checks are not brought in.
It comes after a landmark inquest into the deaths of four people in Lancashire which were all caused by people who shouldn't have been behind the wheel.
The Government is to come under pressure to change its driving licence system as the inquest highlighted how people continue driving on the UK’s roads after being told not to do so by health professionals.
It has resulted in the Coroner for Lancashire issuing a Prevention of Future Deaths Notice to the Secretary of State for Transport, calling for change.
Former Police Sergeant Rob Heard is the founder of the Older Drivers Forum: "We are one of the worst countries in Europe for our eyesight regulations, big changes need to be happening.
"At the age of 17 you can apply for your licence and that is the only legal time when you'd get your eyesight done.
"That could be the next 53 years before you're asked about anything to do your sight. And then it's the self certification system."
Rob added: "People have died as a result of defective vision. This isn't just a one off. This is happening every year regularly. The consequences to those families, their friends, is just devastating.
"I think This is why big, important change needs to happen as a result of it. We can't just sit on what we've always done. Changes need to happen."
Solicitor Terry Wilcox, of Hudgell Solicitors, represents the families of Marie Cunningham, Grace Foulds and Peter Westwell, and said :“We presently have a system under which the DVLA relies upon drivers to self-report, hand over their licence and stop driving when they’ve been told by a qualified healthcare professional that their eyesight is not to the required standard. This inquest has shown that simply doesn’t happen.
“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."
In a statement, the family of Marie Cunningham said: "This tragedy was not inevitable. It was entirely avoidable. And we are left grappling with the painful truth that if this man had acted responsibly our mum would still be with us.
"The inquest gave us some answers as to why mum was killed, however, it has also highlighted the failings of the current self-reporting system used by drivers, other health care professionals and the DVLA."
We've approached the Department for Transport for a response.