Eye test and driving

[Dozer]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/9839825/Police-get-new-powers-to-withdraw-licences-from-short-sighted-drivers.html

 

Ministers have agreed to streamline the procedure for withdrawing a licence after receiving a 45,000 signature petition to implement “Cassie’s law”.

 

This was in memory of Cassie McCord, a 16-year old girl who was killed by an 87 year old driver who refused to surrender his licence despite failing an on the spot police eye test three days earlier when he drove into the exit of a petrol station.

 

Police had pleaded with Colin Horsfall to give up driving, but he ignored them and Cassie was killed when his car swerved on to the pavement.

[Broakham]

The laws did change quite recently regarding what the police are allowed to do if they suspect someone is driving with poor vision.

 

Not sure on the specifics though, but before they didn't have much power to do anything :o

 

The police have always had the power to notify DVLA that a driver has failed a roadside eye test. What has changed recently is not the law but the procedure used to notify DVLA. The use of mobile phones and e-mail will speed up the process, but there is still a period of time where a potentially dangerous driver is left free to drive, and the police have no power to prevent this.

[Ontarian1981]

The police have always had the power to notify DVLA that a driver has failed a roadside eye test. What has changed recently is not the law but the procedure used to notify DVLA. The use of mobile phones and e-mail will speed up the process, but there is still a period of time where a potentially dangerous driver is left free to drive, and the police have no power to prevent this.

 

In Ontario one statement covers a number of infractions.'i.e " driver impairment" or driving while impaired. This means a police officer can take your license and your keys for 12 hours. You will also have to pay towing fees, and impound charges. Impairment includes smell of alcohol or admission of alcohol consumption, even if you blow under the limit, suspected drug usage, and vision problems. In other words, if a cop suspects you are unsafe to continue your journey , he can make sure that you do not.