Oi, you need your eyes tested, you do

Police in visual awareness campaign

Devon and Cornwall Police wants motorists to get their eyes tested.

The forces has been supporting the National Police Chiefs’ Council campaign, ‘Is Your Vision Roadworthy?’, which highlights drivers' legal obligation to make sure their vision is good enough when they're on the road.

Although the data the police have provided is very old, they say in the five years between 2013 and 2017, the DVLA received nearly a million (857,896) health notifications relating to changes in eyesight.

Chief Inspector Ben Asprey, of the Devon and Cornwall roads policing unit, said:"The majority of the information needed by drivers on the roads is visual, so it’s really important that motorists have regular eye tests as vision can decline gradually over time.

“Eye experts recommend all motorists have their eyes tested every two years, unless advised otherwise by their optician.

“We’re urging everyone to make sure they have regular eyesight tests, and to check that friends and older relatives are getting tested regularly too.

“Drivers who fail to meet the required standards are not only breaking the law; they’re putting themselves and other road users at risk.”

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.

Anyone wanting to know more about the legal eyesight standards for motorists is invited to attend an ’Is Your Vision Roadworthy?’ webinar at 2 p.m. on Tuesday 14 March. To register for this free event, which is hosted by former TV and radio presenter Valerie Singleton, visit: VisionAndDriving.info