This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/sep/03/police-launch-crackdown-on-drivers-with-poor-vision
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Police launch crackdown on drivers with poor vision | Police launch crackdown on drivers with poor vision |
| (2 months later) | |
| A police crackdown on drivers with defective vision has been launched that will see every driver who fails a roadside eye test immediately lose their licence. | A police crackdown on drivers with defective vision has been launched that will see every driver who fails a roadside eye test immediately lose their licence. |
| All motorists stopped by police officers from three forces in September will be required to read a number plate from 20 metres. If they cannot, they will have their licence revoked on the spot. | All motorists stopped by police officers from three forces in September will be required to read a number plate from 20 metres. If they cannot, they will have their licence revoked on the spot. |
| Data from the tests will be used to improve understanding of the extent of poor driver vision. | Data from the tests will be used to improve understanding of the extent of poor driver vision. |
| The initiative is being run by forces in Thames Valley, Hampshire and the West Midlands, and is supported by the road safety charity Brake and opticians Vision Express. | The initiative is being run by forces in Thames Valley, Hampshire and the West Midlands, and is supported by the road safety charity Brake and opticians Vision Express. |
| Sgt Rob Heard, representing the police forces taking part in the campaign, said: “Not being able to see a hazard or react to a situation quickly enough can have catastrophic consequences.” | Sgt Rob Heard, representing the police forces taking part in the campaign, said: “Not being able to see a hazard or react to a situation quickly enough can have catastrophic consequences.” |
| He warned that officers would be carrying out eyesight checks “at every opportunity”. | He warned that officers would be carrying out eyesight checks “at every opportunity”. |
| Officers can request an urgent revocation of a licence through the DVLA if they believe the safety of other road users will be put at risk if a driver remains on the road. | Officers can request an urgent revocation of a licence through the DVLA if they believe the safety of other road users will be put at risk if a driver remains on the road. |
| The power was introduced in 2013 under Cassie’s Law, named after 16-year-old Cassie McCord, who died when an 87-year-old man lost control of his vehicle in Colchester, Essex. | The power was introduced in 2013 under Cassie’s Law, named after 16-year-old Cassie McCord, who died when an 87-year-old man lost control of his vehicle in Colchester, Essex. |
| It later emerged he had failed a police eyesight test days earlier, but a legal loophole meant he was allowed to continue driving. | It later emerged he had failed a police eyesight test days earlier, but a legal loophole meant he was allowed to continue driving. |
| Brake and Vision Express are calling for a recent eye test to be required when licences are renewed every 10 years. | Brake and Vision Express are calling for a recent eye test to be required when licences are renewed every 10 years. |
| Under current rules, the only mandatory examination of vision takes place during the practical test, when learners must read a number plate from 20 metres. Once someone has obtained their licence, it is up to them to tell the DVLA if they have a problem with their eyesight. | Under current rules, the only mandatory examination of vision takes place during the practical test, when learners must read a number plate from 20 metres. Once someone has obtained their licence, it is up to them to tell the DVLA if they have a problem with their eyesight. |
| Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, said: “It is frankly madness that there is no mandatory requirement on drivers to have an eye test throughout the course of their driving life. | Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, said: “It is frankly madness that there is no mandatory requirement on drivers to have an eye test throughout the course of their driving life. |
| “Only by introducing rigorous and professional eye tests can we fully tackle the problem of unsafe drivers on our roads.” | “Only by introducing rigorous and professional eye tests can we fully tackle the problem of unsafe drivers on our roads.” |
| Research by the Association of Optometrists published in November last year found that more than a third (35%) of optometrists saw patients in the previous month who continued to drive despite being told their vision was below the legal standard. | Research by the Association of Optometrists published in November last year found that more than a third (35%) of optometrists saw patients in the previous month who continued to drive despite being told their vision was below the legal standard. |
| A 2012 study by insurance firm RSA estimated that poor vision caused 2,874 casualties in a year. | A 2012 study by insurance firm RSA estimated that poor vision caused 2,874 casualties in a year. |
| UK news | UK news |
| news | |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |