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The issue of drivers’ vision has reared its head yet again, with the death of 16-year-old Cassie McCord, who was killed by an 87-year-old driver who had, days earlier, failed the number plate test after a minor accident.The AOP has been concerned for some time about drivers’ vision. This case illustrates only too clearly the risks that we run with the current system which requires drivers with poor vision to report themselves.
There are two obvious dangers. First, that drivers may not notice their vision deteriorating. Second, that drivers who do notice their sight failing may be unwilling to report themselves for fear that they may lose their licence.
The current number plate test
leaves optometrists in a quandary; because the test has no direct Snellen equivalent, optometrists cannot always say whether a driver would fail the number plate test or not. Furthermore, issues of patient confidentiality complicate the reporting of patients with significant sight defects.
European legislation militates for a more appropriate drivers’ sight test in the UK; but the Government is scared of upsetting the driving lobby by forcing all motorists to pay for drivers’ vision tests and by taking away the right to drive of those who would fail.
It really is time that a regular, compulsory test was introduced which is consistent, repeatable and designed specifically for drivers.
Surely, we can no longer tolerate a system that allows the needless deaths of innocent people like Cassie McCord.
David Craig, AOP director of operations
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