Research has revealed that one in four drivers, 24 per cent, across the UK have not had an eye test in the past two years.
The poll, commissioned by insurer Churchill, comes amid growing concern over the lack of checks on drivers once they pass their test.
It follows the inquests of four people who were killed by elderly motorists who should not have been driving due to their terrible eyesight, but continued to do so anyway and were able to due to lax rules.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander received a prevention of future deaths report from HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire Dr James Adeley in April.
During the inquest, the deaths of Billington’s Peter Westwell, Whitworth’s Ann Ferguson, and Southport’s Grace Fouls and Mary-Ann Cunningham were all found to have been killed by drivers with failing eyesight.
The motorists had ignored the advice of opticians that their sight had deteriorated to a level where they should no longer drive.
Drivers in the UK must be able to read a number plate 20 metres away as part of their driving test, but that is the only time they are required to prove their sight is good enough to drive.
Currently, motorists are required to self-declare if they have a medical condition that could affect their ability to drive - or in the case of the drivers in Lancashire who killed the four innocent victims involved in the inquest, hide it.
The NHS recommends people have their eyes tested every two years, however the research revealed fewer than a quarter of motorists stick to this recommendation.
Despite this, the Churchill survey suggested 83 per cent of UK adults would support compulsory eye tests for drivers every decade.
The figure rises to 88 per cent for those who would be in favour of sight exams every three years once drivers reach 70 years old.
Neil Pemberton, the 81-year-old driver who mowed down and killed Peter Westwell in Langho in 2022, had been told nine years earlier to stop driving due to being borderline-blind, and in a cruel twist of fate his victim had only recently given up his licence after being told his eyesight was failing.
Some 12 per cent of drivers surveyed also admitted they either thought their sight was not road legal, or were not sure it was.
Department for Transport (DfT) figures show 240 people were injured and seven were killed in crashes on Britain’s roads in 2023 in which defective eyesight was a factor.
That was the highest number of casualties since 2017, when the total was 262.
Nicholas Mantel, head of motor insurance at Churchill, said: “It seems surprising that UK drivers never need to prove that their eyesight is safe enough for driving once they have passed their driving test.
“What is even more remarkable is that some people continue to drive despite suspecting that their eyesight isn’t good enough – or are doing so without wearing their prescription lenses or glasses.
“Our research suggests that there’s overwhelming public support to make our roads safer by introducing compulsory eyesight tests for drivers.”
Ms Alexander recently told the Commons Transport Select Committee she is “open to considering” requiring older motorists to pass eye tests to keep their driving licence.
READ MORE: 4 people killed in crashes involving drivers with poor eyesight - inquest opens
READ MORE: Coroner says elderly killer driver proves self-diagnosing eyesight failed system
This could be part of the Government’s upcoming road safety strategy.
A DfT spokesperson said: “Every death on our roads is a tragedy, and our thoughts remain with the families of everyone who has lost a loved one in this way.
“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.”
The survey was conducted by research company Opinium between May 20-23 among 2,000 UK adults, of whom 1,312 were drivers.
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