Almost nine in 10 (87%) of motorists are in favour of having to prove they have had a recent sight test every 10 years, when they renew their licence or photocard.
Research indicates this change in the law would significantly reduce the estimated 2,900 casualties caused by poor driver vision each year.
The survey, conducted by Brake, Specsavers and RSA Insurance Group, shows why Government action is needed. A quarter (25%) of drivers admit they have not had their eyes tested in more than two years - despite research showing you can lose up to 40% of your vision before noticing the difference.
Many drivers are also failing to respond to warning signs in regards to their vision: one in five (19%) have put off visiting the optician when they noticed a problem. One in eight drivers (12%) who know they need glasses or lenses to drive have done so without them in the past year.
The survey also found:
- More than 1.5 million UK drivers (4%) have never had their eyes tested.
- One in eight (12%) have not had their eyes tested for more than five years.
- Of the 54% of UK drivers who believe they don't need glasses or lenses to drive, one third (33%) have no way of knowing this for sure, having not had an eyesight test in over two years.
The only measure currently in place to ensure driver vision satisfies minimum legal standards is the number-plate test carried out from 20 metres away before driving tests, and occasionally at the roadside if police suspect an eyesight problem.
This does not test visual field or contrast sensitivity, both of which are important to safe driving, nor is it a totally accurate measure of visual acuity (vision over distance).
Following their driving test, a driver may never need to produce any further evidence that they can see well enough to drive. It is estimated up to five million UK drivers would fail a number-plate test if they had to take it again.
Brake is urging the Government to introduce a requirement for drivers to prove a recent, professional eye test when applying for a provisional licence, and at least every 10 years thereafter. It's estimated this would save the public purse at least £6.7 million a year by preventing crashes.
Brake urges all drivers to make sure their vision is up to scratch by having a professional sight test at least every two years, following expert advice, and always wearing glasses or lenses if they need them.
Mark Christer, managing director of personal insurance at RSA, said: "We want far more rigorous checks that drivers' eyesight meets the minimum standards. The UK's ‘number-plate test' is a relic of the 1930s and it's no wonder so many other EU countries have introduced more modern testing. It is time we did too.
"Put simply, if you're not sure whether you are fit to drive, you could be seriously endangering yourself and other road users. The limitations of our current system mean many people could be doing just that without even knowing it."
Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, said: "Compulsory regular eyesight testing for drivers is a common sense, lifesaving move. Clearly the public agrees that the Government needs to act to tackle the alarming number of drivers taking a lax approach to their eyes.
Richard Willis - 21/08/2014 12:12
Its not just eyetests, its the whole driving standards that need to be checked on a regular basis. I find it incredible that you can get a licence in one century and be driving in the next without ever having to sit any test or inspection whatsoever. If we are such a namby bamby state how come we allow this practice to go unchecked.