Driving over 70

[Veryveryconcerned]

It took me time to decide but after getting other people’s opinions I reported an over 70 driver to the DVLA due to poor eyesight. Prior to the person’s 70th birthday they had said they were getting rid of their 3.5 tonne van as they said they would not pass the test to be able to continue driving it. The person is virtually blind in one eye and the eyesight is not good in the other. They do not get their eyes tested because they do not want to have to stop driving. My concern is the other people on the roads.
Does anyone know how long it takes and what exactly the DVLA do when they receive a report. I have reported it anonymously but it was about 8 weeks ago which is very concerning.
Am I worrying unnecessarily?

I totally agree you shouldn't drive if you're medically unfit to do so - I am unable to drive due to a medical condition and hate it so sympathise with people trying to carry on driving as long as possible but it really is the height of selfishness.

I can't see where the resources would come from to do the testing tho, its impossible to get a driving test as it is.

Drivers over 70 have additional tests to check eyesight, reactions etc.
My own mum is awaiting hers with baited breath, she doesn't feel anything has deteriorated since the last one but she is deeply worried as without that she will be housebound

My stepdad is 79. Lives in middle England. He’s never been required to attend any such test?

It's ridiculous not to get an eye test when his eyesight could probably be corrected. No-one enjoys wearing glasses but it's not just driving that's affected by poor sight. It could massively improve quality of life in other areas.
I worked with a man who had one eye. He wore glasses to correct the vision in his other eye and was legal to drive.

Every 3 years with pre existing health issues, can't be many 70+ that don't frankly
www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/travel-hobbies/driving/driving-after-70/#:~:text=No%2C%20you%20don%27t%20have,declaration%20when%20renewing%20your%20licence.

Not all health conditions, only those which might affect driving.

From the DVLA website

Which health conditions do I have to declare to the DVLA?
The medical conditions that you must declare include:

dementia
insulin-treated diabetes
Parkinson's disease
epilepsy
any chronic neurological condition (such as multiple sclerosis)
any condition that affects both eyes, or total loss of sight in one eye.

It's a tad bothering that someone totally blind in one eye could be pulling out of a junction into my lane of traffic, hopefully they have the swivel abilities of an owl. I'm 73 and have eyes tested every year. Each time I'm reminded that my sight is below the acceptable level unless I wear my distance glasses. Putting them on is as natural as doing up my seat belt.

Not aware of any compulsory tests unless you have an existing health problem . I am over 70 luckily don't have any conditions, l was worried an had a private assessment done by our GP and l was 100 per cent ,but our GP said he had an unnamed person in there 35 who dvla referred to and as he said he should not be driving . So it's not an ageist thing it's is any one fit to drive . Op was not choosing any age group , we just need to be safe , that brings u to cyclists they don't get health checks or eye test s one wonders should they

BrightLightTonight · Yesterday 15:41
Not sure why you had to mention their age - surely the issue is an eyesight problem and nit an age problem.

I agree why would you mention their age , as have been said frequently in these posts everyone driving should undergo an eye test !!

Because our eyesight deteriorates as we age. Obviously.

Don’t forget to tel the dvla about sleep apnoea!

The Dr can inform the DVLA if they are worried about the patient’s ability to drive.

Plenty of people with one eye drive perfectly well!

Not in the U.K. they don’t- these tests are done in Spain for all drivers, and more frequently if over 70, at designated centres, and if drivers fail, they can’t renew their licences. Wish it were like that here.

I’m also an optometrist and was about to write similar! The ‘arguments’ I have with patients about the legal driving standards are mad and pretty frequent. ‘I only drive to the shops’ ‘there’s no way I don’t meet the driving standards’ even though I’ve just shown you that you don’t!

And the grey area with the DVLA means we can’t report anyone. It really needs to change!

Tell the police, they do a on the road test now, if you fail they take your licence away until you can pass.

I agree.
Two different issues here.

1. Drivers over 70
2. Driving with poor eyesight

They are not the same.
Ive worn glasses/contacts since I was eleven and can't walk around safely without my glasses on nevermind drive 🙂but without my glasses I'd never find my car so I'm safe there.
I agree there should be eye tests for all drivers regardless of age.

Why?

The people who have most accidents are under 25 and over 85. The BBC article made that clear.

Yes l work for the dept , l was trying to explain the system very very concerned l don't want individual names etc but it will get dealt with l so fully agree with you l don't know what else l can do William

Given the state of the test booking system, they may be waiting longer than that.

Good point!

But anyway, if I can notify the DVLA if I think someone is unfit to drive, why can't a medical professional? I thought we'd learnt the dangers of medical confidentiality with the German Wings crash when they said they couldn't report suicidal pilots. While you won't take 200 passengers with you, you can still kill people if you are unfit to drive. So if a GP or optician thinks someone is unfit to drive they should be reporting them. I think this is the bigger issue than testing.

And family members should be hiding the car keys as well if they know their loved one eg has dementia and is dangerous.

My Tesco optician told me he WOULD report me to DVLA if my eyesight had deteriorated to the extent that it would be dangerous for me to continue driving.

I’m still waiting to hear from the DVLA after reporting that my husband had a TBI. I wrote 10 weeks ago not a word yet. I keep being asked by solicitor, rehab etc if I’ve notified DVLA which I have just frustrating not to hear back.

People under 25 have the most car accidents but per mile driven it is older people. Young people will improve. Old people will not. I am over 70. I want to be tested.

mintydoggyv I thought you might when you put dvla after your name. I wondered if the dvla wait to see if the person puts anything different on their form this time as I believe you have to complete it every 3 years and the persons birthday is this month. It’s good to know that even though I reported it anonymously it will still be checked. Thank you