Government To Remind Drivers About Importance Of Eye Health In Licence Renewal Letters Following Vision Express Campaign

The Government has announced that it plans to work with the DVLA to include an eye test reminder when motorists renew their photocard driving licence – in a milestone move announced in Parliament last week.

The concession came from Minister for Transport Legislation and Maritime, Mr John Hayes, following an approach by David Linden MP.

Mr Linden was speaking in support of the Vision Express ‘Eye Tests Save Lives’ campaign, which won backing from MPs and policy-makers on the significant road safety risks posed by motorists who avoid regular sight checks.

The commitment is a breakthrough in Vision Express’ two-year-long campaign to encourage Government to put eye health higher on the road safety agenda.

A driving simulator demonstrated to parliamentarians how conditions such as glaucoma – one of the biggest causes of preventable vision loss in the world – can gradually steal up to 40% of sight without it being noticed.

Paul Constable from Kent is calling on people to have the essential health check after he had his worst fears realised after an eye test led to life–saving surgery for a brain tumour, which has seen the 29-year-old lose his eyesight, relocate to a different workplace and sacrifice his driving licence.

Now on the road to recovery, Paul, from Queenborough, has had to relocate to a job closer to home. But despite losing sight in his right eye, Paul has perfect vision in his remaining eye and is hopeful of regaining his licence in the future.