Millions of British drivers may not be able to see well enough to be behind the wheel, eye experts warn.
The Society of Optometrists found that six in 10 of its members had seen a patient driving illegally within the past month.
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It is estimated that a tenth of Britain's more than 30 million motorists may have substandard vision.
The overall survey found that a third of them would not hang up their keys if their vision deteriorated.
Chief executive Adam Sampson said: “This is a stark reminder that the UK’s roads are not as safe as they could be.”
Surveys of 910 ophthalmologists, medical experts who perform eye exams and health screenings, found that half of them had many patients who ran afoul of the law.
Vision changes are gradual, meaning many drivers do not realize that their vision has deteriorated
Professor Julie Ann Little
DVLA rules state that drivers must be able to read a number plate from a distance of 66 feet (20 metres).
They must also be able to read at least six rows of letters on a Snellen wall chart.
People should also inform the DVLA when they lose part or all of their sight.
Polls of 2,081 members of the public found that 31 per cent believed they had almost gone wrong with someone who couldn't see straight.
Nearly one in three – 29 per cent – admitted they would continue to drive even if they had difficulty seeing.
Call for new eye tests for drivers
Professor Julie-Anne Little, former president of the AOP, said: “Sight changes are gradual which means many drivers do not realize that their vision has deteriorated over time.
“Poor eyesight has been shown to slow reaction times and the ability to drive safely.
“It doesn't take much for one mistake to lead to a serious collision with catastrophic consequences.”
Mr Sampson added: “The number plate test is not an appropriate vision test.
“The law must be updated to ensure all drivers are required to have their vision checked and this must be done by reliable means.”
Seeing two million Britons at risk
More than two million people in the UK suffer from sight loss, costing the economy £36 billion a year.
More than one million attendances at A&E in 2022 were due to eye-related conditions.
Every year, 250 people lose their sight due to treatable conditions such as glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness.
Up to half of people with glaucoma go undiagnosed, according to Specsavers.
The optometrist has called for a national eye health strategy to improve and standardize access to eye care for all in England.
The backlog of patients in eye care is more than 650,000, almost 10 per cent of all those on NHS waiting lists.
