Government responds to coroner’s call for tougher driver eyesight rules
It's after a woman in Southport was killed by a driver who couldn't even see his speedometer
The government has stopped short of introducing new laws on driver eyesight checks, despite a coroner’s warning that lives could be lost without urgent action.
It comes after the death of Marie Cunningham in Southport, who was killed in a crash caused by a driver who couldn’t even read his speedometer.
Senior coroner Dr James Adeley had urged ministers to scrap the current system of self-declaration and bring in tougher rules to ensure drivers meet basic vision standards.
But in a detailed response issued today, Minister for the Future of Roads Lilian Greenwood MP expressed sympathy for the families affected, yet made no commitment to change the law.
Instead, she said: “Officials will conduct a comprehensive review of the self-declaration forms and the customer facing information to ensure it communicates the importance of regular eyesight testing as clearly as possible.”
While Greenwood acknowledged concerns around the current number plate test and said discussions would continue with medical advisers, her letter made clear that the government still backs the existing system. “Its simplicity provides drivers with a good indication that they can meet the required visual acuity standards,” she wrote.
The coroner’s report had raised fears that drivers with poor vision are slipping through the cracks, and called for a more robust system to prevent dangerous drivers from staying on the road. But instead of a legal overhaul, Greenwood’s response focused on education and further engagement with healthcare professionals.
She admitted that some drivers “wilfully chose to ignore the advice of their healthcare professionals” and continued to drive despite knowing their vision was not good enough. Yet while optometrists can contact the DVLA without consent in the public interest, there remains no legal duty for them to do so.
Greenwood said her department would “work with eye healthcare professionals and their regulatory bodies to identify and aim to address any concerns” around confidentiality and ethics that might be preventing them from making reports.
The letter also revealed that the DVLA is still reviewing the outcomes of a 2023 call for evidence on driver medical fitness — including vision — and considering whether legal changes are needed as part of the upcoming Road Safety Strategy.
Dr Adeley had raised concerns not just about eyesight, but about wider issues in how driver fitness is monitored and enforced. The government says it will continue working with the police to improve roadside testing and data collection, but made no promises on timelines or legislation.
Despite repeated calls for reform, today’s response indicates that while a review is underway, any concrete changes remain some way off.