6000 lose driving licence for poor eyesight in 2011 - and that's a 39% rise in the number of bus and lorry drivers

Eyesight is only one factor. To a greater or lesser extent, hearing, heart condition, proneness to fainting, or fits etc, all need to be taken into account.

To maintain a pilot's licence, even a Private Pilot's Licence (PPL) which does not permit you to fly for "hire and reward" you have to undergo full medical checks with a qulified and accedited doctor at regular intervals, initially every five years reducing to 2 years, then 1, then 6 months as you grow older. You can pass if you can meet the eye test with corrected vision, but I don't think you can pass with colour blindness.

And this is for a pursuit which is extremely unlikely to cause damage or harm to anyone besides yourself and perhaps the occasional passenger. How much more appropriate then where your incompetence or negligence can wipe out entire families?

@Critchio - a roadside test conducted by a police officer is more than enough as a preliminary test. It's just like a roadside sobriety test conducted in the US - it's not perfect but is effective enough to be used and catch many people who should not drive in their condition.

I am fully aware the method is far from perfect but if it was backed up by a test conducted by a professional, it would be much better than nothing and would cost close to zero.

Like I said before, however, I just can't understand how British drivers can work with no obligation to undergo a regular medical checkup. That would eliminate even more problems.

Cheers!

Mikroos' idea wouldn't work unfortunately, as well meaning as it is. The rules are actually to be able to read a number plate 20.5 metres away in bright daylight. I forget the specific wording but the ambient light has to be more than adequate and that affects how well one sees quite drastically. It also takes no account of peripheral vision and depth perception defects and the test cannot be done in poor light or at night-time.

The law does need tightening up though and there is no reason why a bi-yearly opticians check linked to DVLA cannot be done. That will test for adequate driving eyesight 9with correction if needed) and go a decent way to ensuring better safety on our roads. If you buy a new TV they check to see you have a licence at the buyers address which is done almost behind your back. The law is sooo daft and outdated a lot of the time.

I forgot to add that my wife is still recovering 3 years after being shunted from behind as she waited at a red light after being hit by an elderly gent at over 30mph. He said he did not see the queue of traffic stopped or the red light. He wasn't prosecuted after he volunteered to surrender his licence.... He could of killed people crossing the road. He knew his eyesight was bad and probably knew for a long time yet continued to drive. We most certainly do need stricter controls.

Thanks Oldridgeback and Mikroos I didn't think that bit through

My wife is a Dispensing Optician, and they are not allowed to report people with bad eyesight who should not be driving to the DVLC believe it or not. She often mentions an 80 year old with tunnel vision who has is a a complete liability. They can write to the patients GP and recommend advice to give up driving, but it appears some GPs are reluctant to restrict old peoples "self mobility".
Totally Stupid to me.

Wow, isn't it required by the UK law that employees undergo a general medical checkup every once in a time, like once a year or two years? It's obvious to me that people doing such dangerous jobs should be tested regularly - aren't they?

How about having a "check box" on the licence stating wether the holder requires corrective lenses to drive. Then if the person does get pulled the officer can see (no pun intended) at a glance wether the driver is legal or not.

A regular mandatory eye sight check for holding your driving licence would be good. Relying on self checking doesn't seem to work.
The chance of ever being checked by the police is low (unless you are in an accident).

I've always thought it was a good idea for a mandatory eye test for driving as and when you went to the opticians. The optometrist could then forward the pass / fail information onto the DVLA.

I suppose it would be too much like joined up thinking though.

Put the onus on employers to ensure that any drivers they employ have adequate eyesight - the threat of corporate manslaughter should get their attention.