Better assessment of drivers' eyesight requirements
27 July 2010
The Optical Confederation and Eye Health Alliance are calling on the Government to introduce a more systematic and scientific method of assessing drivers' vision. The European Directives on driving licences introduce a number of measures to harmonise laws relating to the testing and licensing of drivers across Europe. They also set out minimum standards of physical and mental fitness to drive and set out the minimum age for being able to apply for a licence.
The basic requirements for eyesight were amended in 2009 and require that drivers meet minimum standards for visual acuity and visual fields. The European Directive also stipulates that all applicants will 'undergo an appropriate investigation' to ensure that they have adequate visual acuity. The Optical Confederation is calling for the current system of vision screening for professional drivers to be extended to all drivers and to replace the number plate test.
The Optical Confederation is also working closely with the optical organisations across Europe to ensure Members of the European Parliament and the European Commission are aware of the UK position on improving the system for checking drivers' eyesight.
A spokesperson for the Optical Confederation said:
"The number plate test is inadequate to assess a drivers' vision for several reasons — it is outdated, it can be affected by environmental conditions on the day, it is inaccurate, has no scientific basis and it is not validated. This means that the results will not be consistent and cannot be repeated which makes it unfair to drivers."
A spokesperson for the Eye Health Alliance said:
"Not only is the number plate test ineffective and unfair but the current system places too much responsibility on the driver to self-report problems with their vision to the DVLA. Many drivers do not notice a gradual change in their eyesight and are therefore unaware that they fall below the legal eyesight requirement for driving. According to the International Glaucoma Association, a person can lose up to 40% of their vision before they realise they have a problem with their eyesight."
The UK Government has until January 2011 to bring in legislation to extend the current system of vision screening for professional drivers to all car and motorbike drivers. A public consultation on the proposals is expected later this year.
Notes to editors:
1) The view the vision standards in the Directive click here:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:223:0031:0035:EN:PDF
