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[BazaJT]

Yesterday some areas of the country[I think they said 9 areas but didn't specify where]began trials of roadside eye tests which if they prove successful are then mooted to be rolled out country wide.The idea is vehicles are randomly chosen and stopped if the driver can't read a number plate at the prescribed distance then their licence is suspended on the spot with immediate effect so they can no longer continue their journey unless of course there's another authorised driver in the vehicle[and who can presumably pass the eyesight test]Given the shortage of police for other duties I wonder how successful such tests can be?unless Vosa[as far as I know the only other agency with the powers to stop vehicles?]are to do this but have they the power to suspend a licence?

[Doctor Gollum]

If by VOSA you mean the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, then yup, they can ruin your day with impunity

[STEMO]

Hmmm.......only slightly sensationalist. It will be trialled in three areas and only drivers who have been stopped for another reason will be asked to take the test.
In my view this is long overdue. If you're blind, you really shouldn't be driving a car.
Roll on some kind of competency test for over 70's.

[Lizzie Zoom]

Hmmm.......only slightly sensationalist. It will be trialled in three areas and only drivers who have been stopped for another reason will be asked to take the test.
In my view this is long overdue. If you're blind, you really shouldn't be driving a car.
Roll on some kind of competency test for over 70's.

I, as a insulin controlled diabetic, has a licence medical review every 3 years with the need to prove my eyesight is up to standard.

So I think this latest move is a good one, but ALL drivers should be medically assessed, with eye tests every 5 years.

[Doctor Gollum]

Some of us already are so obliged, well from 45 anyways... 

[Shackeng]

Interesting thread, as I have just had an age related DVLA eye test today in order to retain the ability to drive minivans as well as cars. According to the test, the optician tells me that I must wear corrective lenses for driving, (I do anyway), as I failed the 'number plate' test, 20.5 metres. This puzzled me as I consider that my uncorrected sight is not bad. When I got home I carried out an empirical test using a stranger's car as object. According to my architect's tape, I could clearly read the plate without squinting at 29.2 metres, (nearly 45% further than required) so I am somewhat pi55ed off. I can only assume she hoped I would buy yet another pair of overpriced glasses. (New 6 months ago)

[Doctor Gollum]

Without glasses I could possibly tell you what colour the rectangle is 

I would politely suggest that you could probably read your neighbours number plate with you eyes closed. Literally.

If you see something every single day, then you will subconsciously 'learn' it, even if you never realise it.

To prove my point, write it down now without looking

[Shackeng]

Without glasses I could possibly tell you what colour the rectangle is 

I would politely suggest that you could probably read your neighbours number plate with you eyes closed. Literally.
If you see something every single day, then you will subconsciously 'learn' it, even if you never realise it.

To prove my point, write it down now without looking

Possibly, but unlikely, as I don't even know my own number, but if you read my post again you will note that I, deliberately, used a stranger's car. I certainly can't remember it from this afternoon, except it had 55 in it.

[Shackeng]

Without glasses I could possibly tell you what colour the rectangle is 

I would politely suggest that you could probably read your neighbours number plate with you eyes closed. Literally.

If you see something every single day, then you will subconsciously 'learn' it, even if you never realise it.

To prove my point, write it down now without looking

Whose? I couldn't tell you any of my neighbours'  car numbers, except the letters on one personal plate, and a couple of the year numbers.

[Varche]

Hmmm.......only slightly sensationalist. It will be trialled in three areas and only drivers who have been stopped for another reason will be asked to take the test.
In my view this is long overdue. If you're blind, you really shouldn't be driving a car.
Roll on some kind of competency test for over 70's.

I, as a insulin controlled diabetic, has a licence medical review every 3 years with the need to prove my eyesight is up to standard.

So I think this latest move is a good one, but ALL drivers should be medically assessed, with eye tests every 5 years.

as they do in some Eu countries  e.g. Spain. You have to pass a medical which includes reaction times and eyesight every five years from 65.

[Doctor Gollum]

You underestimate your memory

[STEMO]

You underestimate your memory

You never give up, do you? 

[Viral_Jim]

Definitely should be mandatory for all IMHO. I noticed that going for my provisional C/C1 +E medical that I couldn't pass the eye test without specs, but can read a numberplate @20m no problem.

I guess the standard is higher for LGV drivers. 

[Doctor Gollum]

Definitely should be mandatory for all IMHO. I noticed that going for my provisional C/C1 +E medical that I couldn't pass the eye test without specs, but can read a numberplate @20m no problem.

I guess the standard is higher for LGV drivers.

Yup

Not just the eyesight part, but the whole medical, hence the 5 yearly interval from 45 and annual from 60 (iirc)

[78bex]

I saw the headline referred to by the OP on Yahoo the other night.

my sight is good, but my colour perception is ropey.
 I have to think hard what maroon & purple are    or I confuse one for the other or with different shades of blue weird I know.