Northamptonshire drivers face roadside eyesight checks as police launch week-long safety campaign

Northamptonshire Police is supporting a national road safety campaign running this week, from Monday, October 26, to raise awareness of motorists' legal responsibility to ensure their vision is suitable for driving.

As part of the campaign, roadside eyesight checks will ask drivers to read a vehicle registration plate from 20 metres away, approximately five car lengths.

Police say poor eyesight remains a serious road safety concern, with 18 deaths on UK roads in 2025 and around 3,000 serious injuries annually linked to drivers or riders with defective or uncorrected vision.

A national survey last year estimated more than 1.2 million motorists were driving with defective eyesight.

Northamptonshire roads policing inspector Dave Forman said: “Most drivers know that worn or defective tyres on their vehicle can result in a fine and penalty points, but they are less likely to realise that driving with uncorrected defective eyesight is punishable with a fine of up to £1,000, three penalty points and possible disqualification.”

He added: “Drivers who fail to meet the required standards are not only breaking the law but putting themselves and other road users at risk.”

Under legislation known as Cassie's Law, motorists who fail roadside eyesight checks could have their driving licence revoked immediately if officers consider them unsafe to drive.

Tests will take place in daylight, with motorists wearing any glasses or contact lenses normally used while driving.

Police are encouraging drivers to undergo eyesight examinations every two years, as vision can deteriorate gradually without obvious symptoms.

The results of roadside checks nationwide will contribute to an annual survey informing future road safety campaigns.

Further advice is available at IsYourVisionRoadworthy.org.uk.