A Blackburn killer driver was described as a prime example of how unchecked self-diagnosis for eye conditions does not protect lives on British roads.
This came as Coroner James Adeley said he will be raising the issue with the Secretary of State.
The statement followed a nine-day inquest at County Hall in Preston, which investigated four cases of pedestrians killed on Lancashire's roads by drivers with ‘dangerous’ eyesight who carried on driving despite being unfit to.
A joint inquest was held into the deaths of Peter Westwell, Grace Foulds, Ann Ferguson, and Marie Francis Cunningham, all of whom were killed in separate incidents in and around Lancashire.
All four were struck by motorists who carried on driving despite serious vision impairments, which meant they should never have been on the road.
Blackburn octogenarian Neil Pemberton, who killed Clitheroe resident Peter Westwell, was noted as having lied to the DVLA for years, and carried on driving despite being told not to.
In a cruel twist of fate, Mr Westwell had recently handed in his licence on the advice of an optometrist.
Earlier in the inquest, Pemberton had testified under oath stating he was unclear as to why he pleaded guilty and said it was in fact Mr Westwell who had moved into the road ahead of him, and he was only travelling at 30mph.
“Furthermore, Neil Pemberton appears capable of believing events contradicted by dashcam footage and optometrist assessment, and is a prime example as to why self-certification for driving licences does not protect the lives of those on UK roads.”
The court also heard about the death of Ann Ferguson, 75, who was killed in July 2023 when she was hit by a van driven by Vernon Law, 72, just one month after he was diagnosed with two cataracts.
His optician, Shagufta Ahmad, had asked him during an appointment on June 15, 2023, whether he still drove, to which he told her that he didn’t.
Dr Adeley said: “Vernon Law in continuing to drive prioritised his independence and enjoyment over the obvious risk he posed to others and finally caused Anne Ferguson's death.”
As a result of Ann's death, her husband David lost his career, had to sell his possessions and move from his house to a care home.
David was grief-stricken for his wife's death, became increasingly anxious and on November 24, 2024, took his own life.
Finally, the court heard the case of Marie Cunningham, 79, and Grace Foulds, 85, who were both struck by the driver of an Audi car in Lulworth Road in Southport.
Investigations showed driver Glyn Jones, 67, suffered from an eye condition called keratoconus, which had been diagnosed 10 years before.
At the time of the fatal crash on November 30, 2021, Jones was using an old contact lens in his left eye, as the replacement lens was not yet available.
Richard Booth, an expert optometrist, said that whichever lens Glynn Jones had in his left eye, due to its age and condition, would have given him very poor sight.
Dr Adeley said: “Glynn Jones described his approach as 'misguided and flawed, ' but this would more accurately be described as selfish, dishonest, wilful ignorance that cost two people their lives.”
Under current laws, drivers are expected to inform the DVLA of medical conditions themselves.
Opticians aren't required to notify the body unless they suspect the patient of continuing to drive.
However, Dr Adeley outlined this was because opticians struggle to relay information to the DVLA due to patient confidentiality.
The coroner noted that in 2023, 2.2 per cent of drivers failed their roadside eye tests—equivalent to approximately 920,000 drivers when extrapolated to the entire driving population—yet this figure was significantly underreported.
He also added that in recent years there has been a 25 per cent collapse in reporting poor eyesight to the DVLA despite no changes to the population, the DVLA system and the number of people being diagnosed with eye conditions.
Dr Adeley added: “The current system of self-reporting is ineffective and unsafe, does not meet the needs of society, and does not protect the lives of road users in the UK.
“The longer we leave it, the more deaths on our roads.”
Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu outlined the position of the College of Optometrists was that the current system was deficient and was insufficient to prevent those who have defective vision from continuing to drive
In his statement, he said: “All drivers should be required to undergo a visual assessment to demonstrate they can meet the visual standards required for driving before a licence is granted.”
Adam Sampson, chief executive of the Association of Optometrists, explained the current system was flawed and the DVLA should require proof of eyesight before granting a driving licence.
Additionally, Commander Kyle Gordon from the National Police Chiefs Council outlined they would fully support mandatory sight tests, but it was a decision for those in government.
Concluding the inquest, Dr Adeley said: “Consequently, for all of the evidence above, I consider I must send a Prevent Future Deaths report to the Secretary of State for Transport to take action to safeguard the lives of people within the jurisdiction.
“This report will be copied to the Secretary of State for Health, the NPCC, and a variety of road safety charities.
“As I said at the outset, my condolences are and remain with the families who have lost loved ones due to collisions caused by drivers who prioritised their own selfish pleasure, independence and enjoyment of continuing to drive a car when each of them knew that their vision was defective, and their inability to see pedestrians resulted in four deaths.”
Dr Adeley concluded that Peter Westwell, Mary Cunningham, Grace Foulds and Ann Ferguson died due to road traffic collisions.
The Department for Transport said it would consider the coroner’s report once received.
A spokesperson added: “The NHS recommends adults should have their eyes tested every two years, and drivers are legally required to inform the DVLA if they have a condition which affects their eyesight.
“We are committed to improving road safety and continue to explore ways to achieve this.”
Share