Older drivers have licences revoked as people born in these years worst affected

Older road users are most at risk of losing their driving licence (Image: Getty)

Dozens of motorists have had their driving licences taken away as part of a major safety crackdown, with older motorists being more at risk.  

It comes after the UK’s largest-ever roadside eyesight vision screening test conducted by police officers in forces across the country. 

As part of the tough measures, over 3,000 road users had their sight checked at the roadside, with 1.4% having their driving licence revoked. 

Motorists had to accurately read a car number plate located around 20m away to pass the check.

In total, the number plate eyesight tests resulted in 38 immediate on-the-spot driving licence revocations. 

Motorists are not going for regular eyesight checks (Image: Getty)

Meanwhile, six further bans were pending with the outcome still awaiting action from DVLA.

The number of licence revocations differed significantly by age group, with elderly road users accounting for 17% of all licences held by officials. 

Drivers born between 1934 and 1943, aged between 81 to 90, had the highest incidence of revocations at 10.2%, with the over 90s next at 5.9%.

In comparison, just 1% of under 25s lost their licence due to eyesight problems, with 0.2% of 25-40-year-olds impacted. 

Less than 1% were caught out between 41 and 60, with revocations rising to 1.8% for 61-70-year-olds and 2.3% for 71-80-year-olds.

Dr Carol Hawley of Warwick Medical School and CARGY Research analysed the roadside vision screening data. 

Carol concluded that at least four in 10 road users had not had their sight tested in at least the recommended 24 months.

Carol said: “Fortunately, the majority of drivers passed the test, but 96 drivers needed eyesight-related advice from officers. A third of all drivers stopped needed corrective glasses or lenses for driving, but worryingly 40% of drivers had not had their eyesight checked for over two years.

“Fifty drivers failed the roadside test and alarmingly 50% of those prescribed glasses for driving were not wearing them when stopped. Some of these avoided a driving ban because they had their glasses in the vehicle and when wearing them passed a second attempt at the test.”

According to GOV.UK, motorists must inform the DVLA if they have any problems with eyesight that could impact their ability behind the wheel.

Road users with vision problems must also ensure they wear glasses or contact lenses every time they set off to avoid being caught out.