The inquest.
At an inquest into the deaths of four people killed by drivers with failing eyesight the Coroner said: “The four fatalities shared the same feature that the driver’s sight was well below the standard required to drive a car.” Dr Adeley’s remarks were made at the inquests of Marie Cunningham, 79, Grace Foulds, 85, Peter Westwell, 80, and Anne Ferguson, 75, held at Preston Coroner’s Court during April 2025.
Driving Mobility response.
Our thoughts are with the families of Marie Cunningham, Grace Foulds, Peter Westwell and Anne Ferguson following the Coroner’s report into their tragic deaths caused by drivers with failing eyesight.
Press reports over recent days have suggested that there is little available to address the need for eyesight checks among older and other drivers. In fact, Mobility Centres (under the umbrella of the charity Driving Mobility) are available in many locations throughout the UK and provide this service routinely.
Driving Mobility is dedicated to providing help and advice to older and disabled people on safe independent mobility. We accredit a network of independent and NHS ‘fitness to drive’ assessment centres across the UK. Our centres routinely undertake assessments, conducted by a qualified clinician (generally an Occupational Therapist) together with an Approved Driving Instructor, aimed at helping drivers of all ages and abilities to retain or regain the ability to drive safely.
Our professional teams carry out cognitive and eyesight tests as well as practical driving assessments, to identify clients who are able to continue to drive safely, those who may need tuition and those who are not considered safe. We also provide help and advice on alternatives to driving for those not considered safe to continue behind the wheel.
Assessments are provided in response to self-referrals from individuals or family members, as well as through referrals from the DVLA, the NHS, Motability and the police. Healthcare professionals, including GPs, and others can easily contact their nearest Driving Mobility Centre via the Find a Centre page of our website www.drivingmobility.org.uk
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