Despite a European Commission (EC) Directive for minimum eyesight standards for car and motorcycle licence holders, the United Kingdom (UK) requires only that drivers self-report being able to read a standard number plate from a distance of 20 metres on applying for their first licence or renewing their licence after 70 years of age. The number plate test is undertaken formally only at the driving examination. Road accidents impose a significant cost to individuals, their families and the economy. In 2010, over 200,000 casualties resulted from road accidents reported to the police in Great Britain (Department for Transport 2011a). The financial cost of these accidents to the UK economy was valued at around £7.4 billion. Many more accidents and casualties go unreported. RSA is seeking a change in UK law requiring everyone when applying for a first or renewed Category A (motorcycle) or B (car) licence to have had an eyesight test in the previous two years, demonstrating that their vision meets the standard in the EC Directive. RSA also recommends drivers voluntarily have their eyesight tested more regularly to ensure their vision is up to standard. This campaign is in line with National Health Service (NHS) recommendations that people have their sight examined every two years. This report evaluates the cost of road accidents due to poor vision in the UK, and the potential benefits from RSA’s proposed policy change and campaign. (Author/publisher)
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