This presentation will focus on vision and driving and how it is estimated that around 10% of all drivers on the road at any time would not pass the 20m roadside eyesight test. 

In 2021 Rob Heard authored the eyesight section of the National Older Drivers Task Force report, in which one of the key recommendations was a compulsory eyesight test at age 70 years, and at every renewal thereafter. 

During 2024, Rob will also publish a research paper on police notifications since the introduction of Cassie’s Law, looking at how many Police Forces are not using the new law/procedure, and how the stats show that when drivers reach 70 years og age the number of notifications rockets up. 

Rob will also be running another eyesight campaign in partnership with Eye Health UK, to raise awareness to Optometrists and Medical Practitioners about how they can inform clients better about vision and driving. The campaign will also lay out their responsibilities when a driver fails to inform the DVLA of an eyesight condition.

Rob Heard, Road Safety & Older Drivers Consultant

Rob Heard is the founder and chairperson of the Older Drivers Forum and the former road safety sergeant for Hampshire and Thames Valley Police.

Rob was in the police force for 30 years and is passionate about road safety. He was an advanced police car driver and motorcyclist and led the Hampshire and thames Valley force’s VIP escort team.

Rob instigated the Older Drivers Forum following a number of serious incidents involving older drivers. After extensive research he saw a real need to help and support older drivers to drive safely for longer.

The Older Drivers Forum takes a partnership approach and since its creation in 2013 has enjoyed great success in reducing older driver incidents and increasing help and support to older drivers and other interested parties. Rob has assisted stakeholders in other parts of the country to set up their own schemes to help and support this vulnerable group. Rob sits on the National Older Drivers Task Force and helps advise the Government and Department for Transport on aging driving and support.

He is a member of the National Older Drivers Task Force and co-author of the recent Task Force report published as a national strategy to the UK government in November 2021 to give help and support to older drivers to carry on driving safely for longer with some key recommendations. Rob has won numerous national awards for his work with Older Drivers and has been awarded a lifetime achievement award from Road Safety Support. He now works as a Road Safety Consultant, specialising in Older Drivers and is a Driver Awareness Trainer