Eyesight tests for motorists - new rules

Hello Gordon,

Welcome news I think, the only problem I can see is that the poor Police can,t even manage to stop all those people that use mobile phones whilst driving let alone have time to do an eye tests. The only time they will be able to do the test is when the likes of us are spread across the road or buried in someones passenger door.

This law was brought about, or at least hurried along, due to a 16 year old girl being hit and killed by an elderly driver who lost control of his car and mounted the pavement in Colchester. He had been warned not to drive by police just days earlier. Clearly had this rule been in force when he was first warned the girl would be alive today. As far as I recall, he was admitted to hospital himself following the accident and died there a week or two later. Tragic all round and I agree this change has to be a good thing.

It is not a good thing as it will be ineffective. If anything it is a bad step as it reinforces the idea that if something is wrong a law will put it right. In recent years there has been a proliferation of well intended laws introduced as a knee jerk reaction to popular sentiment stoked by tabloid journalism. A better way would be to consider why people with poor eyesight feel a need to continue driving and then develop strategies to reduce that feeling.

Previously wrote:

DVLA â NewsRoadside eyesight enforcementAs predicted the Police will be able to take immediate action against motorists who fail roadside eye tests under tough new rules introduced today by Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) have worked closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to introduce a new system to deal with roadside eyesight test failures more quickly. Under the new rules a licence can be revoked in a matter of hours rather than days.The new system enables the police to notify the DVLA electronically with details of eyesight test failures allowing a notice of revocation of the licence to be issued to the motorist within hours. Previously, the Police notified DVLA in writing or by fax which in some cases meant that the revocation of the licence could take up to four days. All drivers must be able to meet the eyesight standard for driving by reading a number plate from 20 metres - this can be easily checked by the police at the roadside. A motorist who drives when unable to meet this standard is committing an offence and will have their licence revoked by DVLA. Once revoked, a licence will not be returned until a driver can demonstrate that their eyesight meets the required standard.The changes in procedures apply from 7 February 2013. This service will be available between 8am and 9pm. Roadside eyesight tests can only be carried out in daylight. On evenings and weekends, where the police deem the circumstances merit immediate action, they can use powers to impose bail conditions. These can include requiring the person not to drive as a condition of bail. If a person subject to a no-drive condition broke it, he/she could be taken to court to reconsider the question of bail.

This has got to be a good idea.An insurance company found that 1 in 12 motorists would fail their driving test if they took it again because of poor eyesight.2.7 million people cannot read a number plate at 20 metres.24% say they need glasses but still drive without them!We are sharing the road with them.

Perhaps all licence holders should take a compulsory eye test, the DVLA could monitor via the newcomputer system as per the mot and insurance check they do, or all licence holders have a free eye test every 2 years. It would be interesting to see the accident figures after such an exercise.

Hello Well Is a good Job I just Had my eye sorted out . and now can see with out glasses .very well too. Now getting suck into finishing off my 54 domie .its been having a nice rest for the last 3 years the oil will be as clean as it was put in . its not run at all but . I do know that it will start and run Ok . as it was me that rebuilt the Engine and Gearbox. now with new chains and sprockets in golden finish , I have just the tank and head lamp and facer panels to paint.

Previously wrote:

Hello Well Is a good Job I just Had my eye sorted out . and now can see with out glasses .very well too. Now getting suck into finishing off my 54 domie .its been having a nice rest for the last 3 years the oil will be as clean as it was put in . its not run at all but . I do know that it will start and run Ok . as it was me that rebuilt the Engine and Gearbox. now with new chains and sprockets in golden finish , I have just the tank and head lamp and facer panels to paint.

What has this got to do with the original subject? It seems just another chance to tell us how good you think you are at building Norton engines.

I think these tests are a good idea and should save lives in future. I have regular eye tests and when my eyesight starts to fail I will stop riding if it cannot be corrected.

Introduce eye tests for drivers and record it on their licence? Insurers could make it an expensive penalty, no test, 20% on your premium? Cataracts are a real problem. They are similar to looking through dirty glass as the lens in the eye becomes cloudy. Thus you might pass a test in good light but still be lethal in the dusk. Any test should, therefore, include a poor light element in it. How often in A&E I have heard the words "I'm so sorry, I just didn't see him" from the car driver. Us Norton nutters need to have bright lights, and now the LED has arrived, even in six volt form. Brilliant, battery-kindly and life-saving. Well done Goffy!

In California, when you get your first license you have to pass an eyechart test at the local Department of Motor Vehicle office.. If you cannot pass it without having to use glasses then you can try with your glasses. If you pass that, it is indicated on your license that corrective lenses must be worn. You are re-tested every 10 years.

Mike

Hello All

Seems like the Americans have the right idea to me, I have worn glasses since I was 21 and have regular check ups every 2 years, I know the price of a eye test is a bit of a pain but what price do you put on a life. In my opinion not having good vision is just like drinking and driving you are not in a fit state to drive and should carry the same punishment.

Keep smiling, springs another day closer

Previously wrote:

Previously wrote:

Hello Well Is a good Job I just Had my eye sorted out . and now can see with out glasses .very well too. Now getting suck into finishing off my 54 domie .its been having a nice rest for the last 3 years the oil will be as clean as it was put in . its not run at all but . I do know that it will start and run Ok . as it was me that rebuilt the Engine and Gearbox. now with new chains and sprockets in golden finish , I have just the tank and head lamp and facer panels to paint.

What has this got to do with the original subject? It seems just another chance to tell us how good you think you are at building Norton engines.

I think these tests are a good idea and should save lives in future. I have regular eye tests and when my eyesight starts to fail I will stop riding if it cannot be corrected.

Hello yes i do agree but they need to test car drivers too!!!

The car driver in the incident referred to had been told not to drive due to his eyesight but the accident was caused by him accelerating up onto the pavement. It was a typical confused elderly / automatic gearbox accident. It really isn't a good idea to swap from manual to auto later in life.

Strangely, the UK licence allows a manual driver to do that but an auto licence doesn't allow the use of a manual car which is probably less of a danger. Anyone heard about the US tourist who drove a Fiesta all round the M25 in second gear ? "Hey these compacts are revvy !"

Some years ago one of my work colleagues went off at lunchtime to collect her brand new mini from the dealers. When she got back to the office after the ten mile return trip she said that something seemed wrong with the car as it was making a strange noise. It transpired that, having previously had an automatic, she'd driven the whole way back in first gear (unsurprisingly, the engine was shot and had to be replaced). She was in her late twenties at the time.

But perception, of course, is not just about the sensory input; the brain has to interpret the information. That's one of the reasons that I think the new police eyesight powers will be ineffective. The requirement to read a number plate at 25 yards is quite inadequate. However, the "sorry I didn't see you" comment can be made by drivers with perfect vision if they have not been trained to look in the right way. This shows how: http://www.msf-usa.org/motion.html

Gordon's tale of driving in 3rd gear reminded me of my father. In about 1970 I had a call from him late one night. He had broken down in his Triumph 2000 about 25 miles from home with my mother, aunt and uncle on board. I went out in my Ford Anglia and towed him back. Lucky I had a 1600 crossflow fitted and the washing line didn't break. It turned out that he had snapped a con-rod and I am certain that it was because he had been travelling in 3rd gear rather than top.

Hello I think the police need to say to driver see if you can read and police motorcycle number plate at 25meters and see how many fail to see the bike every mind the number plate, lots of car driver just do not see us motorcyclist . they tryed to run me off the road twice now and in a 30mph too, and one guy in a Volvo pulled right out in front of me .I had right of way, I said sorry I did Not see you, Well I was wearing My Hi-vis Jacket at the time , and White Helmet ,perhaps I should fit flashing amber lights as well on my jacket. so it will not be a bad thing getting some of these bad drivers off the road