Coroner calls for older driver eye tests after fatal collisions

An inquest into the deaths of four people killed by drivers with failing eyesight has found enforcement of visual legal standards for motorists is “ineffective and unsafe”. HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire Dr James Adeley has sent a report to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to say action should be taken to prevent future deaths.

He labelled the licensing system as the “laxest in Europe” as he pointed out the UK was one of only three countries to rely upon self-reporting of visual conditions affecting the ability to drive. Dr Adeley said it was also concerning that the UK was the only European country to issue licences without any visual checks for a continuous period up to the age of 70.

The statement followed a nine-day inquest at County Hall in Preston, which investigated four cases of pedestrians killed by drivers with ‘dangerous’ eyesight who carried on driving despite being unfit to. A joint inquest was held into the deaths of Peter Westwell, Grace Foulds, Ann Ferguson, and Marie Francis Cunningham, all of whom were killed in separate incidents in and around Lancashire.

Blackburn octogenarian Neil Pemberton, who killed Peter Westwell, was noted as having lied to the DVLA for years, and carried on driving despite being told not to. Dr Adeley heard Pemberton had self-certified his licence and had denied issues with his vision, despite an optician warning him he was unable to meet the requirements to drive.

Earlier in the inquest, Pemberton had testified under oath stating he was unclear as to why he pleaded guilty and said it was in fact Mr Westwell who had moved into the road ahead of him, and he was only travelling at 30mph.

The Department for Transport said it would consider the coroner’s report once received. A spokesperson added: “The NHS recommends adults should have their eyes tested every two years and drivers are legally required to inform the DVLA if they have a condition which affects their eyesight. We are committed to improving road safety and continue to explore ways to achieve this.”

Rob Heard, chairman of the Older Drivers’ Forum, said: “If changes are not made, we’re going to see an increase in the number of people dying on our roads due to drivers with defective vision.” He called for it to be made compulsory for opticians to check a person’s eyesight once they turned 70.