A major new report involving research from The University of Warwick has found that an estimated 720,000 motorists are driving on Britain’s roads with defective eyesight.

The University of Warwick, in collaboration with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the Older Drivers Forum, and Eye Health UK, has unveiled the largest-ever UK roadside vision screening survey, exposing significant concerns about vision standards among motorists.

Police forces across England and Wales conducted number plate tests on 3,010 drivers, revealing:

· 1.7% failed the test – equivalent to 720,642 motorists

· 3.2% received police warnings or had their licence revoked

· 1.4% had their driving licence revoked, including 38 immediate revocations

Worryingly, 40% of motorists had not undergone a sight test in the last two years as recommended, and one-third of drivers needed corrective lenses for driving. Half of those who failed the roadside test were not wearing their prescribed glasses.

Dr Carol Hawley of Warwick Medical School, who analysed the data and wrote the report, commented: “While most drivers passed, 96 required eyesight-related advice, and 50 drivers failed outright. Of these, 50% avoided a driving ban only because they had corrective glasses available to pass a second attempt.”

The survey also highlighted an increased failure rate among older drivers, with 10.2% of motorists aged 81 to 90 failing the test.

David Cartwright, optometrist and chair of Eye Health UK, emphasised the importance of regular eye tests: “Ninety per cent of the information needed for driving is visual. Even minor reductions in vision can impair reaction times, hazard recognition, and contrast sensitivity. Regular eye tests are essential to ensure safety on the roads.”

The report, titled Is Your Vision Roadworthy?, also includes insights from Terry Cunningham, whose mother and her friend were tragically killed by a motorist with vision so poor he “would not have managed to see the steering wheel of his vehicle clearly.” Cunningham expressed hope that the findings will raise awareness of motorists' legal responsibility to ensure their vision is fit to drive.

Rob Heard, founder of the Older Drivers Forum, added: “This report underlines the need for regular sight tests to ensure driving safety and detect medical conditions that could impact vision.”

Chief Constable Jo Shiner, NPCC Lead for Roads Policing, concluded: “Personal responsibility is key. Ensuring your vision meets the legal standard is vital for the safety of all road users.”

Motorists are reminded that UK law requires the ability to read a number plate from 20 metres and meet specific visual acuity standards. For advice on keeping your vision roadworthy and meeting legal requirements, visit VisionAndDriving.info.

ENDS

For further press information, quotes, and photographs, contact Rachel Robson: 07986 056380 Email: rachel@visionmatters.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

Click here for a copy of the full report, including statistical analysis, full demographic and regional breakdowns, plus, powerful case studies illustrating the human cost of driving with defective eyesight.

About the authors of the Is Your Vision Roadworthy? report

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) is a national coordination body for law enforcement in the United Kingdom and the representative body for senior police officers in the United Kingdom.

Dr Carol Hawley is an Honorary Research Fellow at The University of Warwick, one of the UK’s leading universities, marking its 60th anniversary in 2025. With over twenty-eight thousand students from 147 countries, it's currently ranked 9th in the UK by The Guardian University Guide. It has an acknowledged reputation for excellence in research and teaching, for innovation, and for links with business and industry. The recent Research Excellence Framework classed 92% of its research as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. The University of Warwick was awarded Midlands University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times.

The Older Drivers Forum is a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers to support mature motorists on how to continue driving safely for longer.

Eye Health UK (registered charity number: 1086146) is the leading UK charity for prevention of poor eye health.