Police have been carrying out a crackdown on a common health issue which could be a reason people lose their drivers licence instantly under DVLA rules. Starting last month and going into November a national road safety campaign has been highlighting motorists’ legal obligation to ensure their vision is roadworthy every time they get behind the wheel.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) ‘Operation Dark Night’ has seen police conducting roadside vision screening and sharing important information about how motorists can keep their vision clear in all light conditions. The DVLA says: “You must wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive if you need them to meet the ‘standards of vision for driving’. You must tell DVLA if you’ve got any problem with your eyesight that affects both of your eyes, or the remaining eye if you only have one eye.”
The motoring body adds “You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result.
“You must tell DVLA if you have night blindness.” If someone needs to report a new medical condition related to sight they can do so here.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council has said that as the evenings are now very dark, eye issues can be more obvious as low light levels enlarge the pupil and accentuate any focusing errors – no matter how minor – causing blur.
Trouble focusing or being dazzled by glare from oncoming headlights when driving at night can indicate that your vision is falling below the minimum eyesight standards.
Inspector Si Paull of Warwickshire Police who carried out stop and tests on motorists this month said: “Most drivers know that worn or defective tyres on their vehicle can result in a fine and penalty points, but they are less likely to realise that driving with uncorrected defective eyesight is punishable with a fine of up to £1,000, three penalty points and possible disqualification and also can increase your risk of a collision occurring.
“Ninety per cent of the information a driver uses is visual,” Inspector Paull added, “so we want to use the roadside screening to raise awareness of the fundamental importance of good eyesight. Drivers who fail to meet the required standards are not only breaking the law but putting themselves and other road users at risk.”
The voluntary roadside vision screening asked drivers to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres. All tests as part of the initiative were conducted in good daylight conditions, using a registration plate affixed to a vehicle at the correct measured distance (20m), with the driver wearing any eyesight correction (eg: spectacles) worn at the time of driving.
Under legislation known as Cassie’s Law. drivers who fail a roadside number plate test could have their licence revoked on the spot if a police officer deems them to be unsafe to be on the road. Other penalties for not meeting the legal eyesight standards include a possible fine or penalty points on your licence.
In addition to the 20m number plate test the legal eyesight standards require motorists to have adequate fields of vision. The DVLA must also be notified about certain eyesight conditions. There are different standards for bus and lorry drivers.
Full details of the legal eyesight standards for all motorists can be found here..
Vision can decline gradually without you realising, so eye experts recommend all motorists have regular sight tests – every two years unless advised otherwise by their optometrist – to help ensure your vision remains roadworthy. Chief Constable Jo Shiner, National Police Chief Constable Lead Roads Policing comments: “Personal responsibility is the starting point for safer roads. Making sure your eyesight meets the standards of vision for driving is really important and something only you can do to keep yourself and all other road users safe while driving.”