Minister continues campaign on driver eyesight regulations

Date: 24/6/2011

Road safety could be improved by changing the rules surrounding eyesight testing for motorists, it has been claimed.

Meg Munn, minister for Heeley in Sheffield, raised the issue in Parliament last week after one of her constituents was killed by a driver with poor vision.

Fiona Buckley was crossing the road with a friend in 2008 when an 87-year-old motorist collided with them, leaving Miss Buckley with injuries that she was to later die from.

It was subsequently discovered that the man driving the car was unable to read a number plate from a distance of more than six metres with his right eye and that he was suffering from cataracts.

Under current rules, a person must be able to read a new number plate from 20 metres away or an old-style plate from 20.5 metres either with or without glasses.

When sitting the practical driving exam, the learner will have three chances to read the digits.

Speaking in Parliament, Ms Munn said this current test was "outdated", yet has remained in place despite changes in road safety standards.

"The only way to make sure that drivers continue to have adequate vision is to make eyesight testing mandatory at regular intervals throughout the time they hold a licence," she suggested, adding that motorists should have to provide proof their vision has been examined at least once every ten years.

Meanwhile, Mark Nevin, speaking on behalf of the Optical Confederation, urged the government to give the eye test further consideration.

Posted by Sarah Bailey