Driving with poor eyesight is a major safety risk to yourself and other road users and is classified as a medical condition by the DVLA. Having a car crash while suffering from bad eyesight can come with serious risks and prosecution is a “possibility” according to experts.
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This condition is most likely to cause DVLA medical revocation
Dave Merrick, car insurance spokesperson at MoneySuperMarket revealed police officers can pull motorists over for a roadside eye test to check their vision.
These tests may be demanded if your quality of driving has been affected and officers suspect you are struggling with your vision.
Mr Merrick has also warned motorists that driving when struggling to see could leave your car insurance invalidated.
He said: “Taking to the roads if you’re struggling to see clearly is a risk both for yourself and other road users. It can come with some very serious consequences.
“If police suspect you to be struggling with your vision while driving, they can pull you over and conduct an eye examination.
“If you fail, this could result in you losing your licence. Prosecution is also a possibility if you have an accident as a result of poor vision.
“It can also have a significant impact on your finances. For example, failure to inform the DVLA of issues with your vision can result in a £1,000 fine.
“And if your decision to drive goes against doctors’ orders, you could also risk voiding your car insurance policy.”
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The DVLA says motorists must meet eyesight standards to drive safely and confirmed motorists could be prosecuted if they fail to meet these guidelines.
Research from Click Mechanic revealed one third of UK drives regularly fail to get their eyes tested.
The data shows just 69 percent of motorists get their eyes checked every two years in line with NHS recommendations.
Six percent of motorists stunningly revealed they have never had their eyes tested meaning many could be unable to see vital road hazards or signs.
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This could also encourage motorists to drive more dangerously on the road which clouds result in other charges.
Driving without due care and attention could see road users issued with a simple £100 fine and three penalty points but costs could rise to £2,500 if a case is taken to court.
If your driving is considered to be putting yourself or other road users in danger, police officers could decide to issue a charge for dangerous driving.
In severe cases this could see motorists hit with a £5,000 fine, up to nine penalty points and even temporarily banned.
Mr Merrick has advised motorists to ask someone else to drive or seek alternative arrangements if a motorist’s poor eyesight makes it hard to see.
He has also pushed for motorists to report any issues to the DVLA which will avoid further consequences later down the line.
He said: “If you suspect that the difficulties you are having with your eyesight render you unfit to drive, our advice is that you should avoid getting behind the wheel of a car and ask someone else to drive or look for alternative sources of transport.
“You should also make the DVLA aware of any eyesight issues you have. ”
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