Easier Eye-Tests on the Way

The government are looking at proposals to cut the minimum eyesight requirements for motorists. The distance at which driving test candidates have to read a number plate may be reduced in accordance with new European rules which call for standardisation across the Union.

At present, the laughable (if it wasn't so serious) 'test' requires novices to be able to read a number plate from a distance of sixty-five feet and seven inches (20 metres). A crude but reasonable evaluation for basic shortsightedness, but hardly sufficient to identify more significant vision defects.

Despite an opt-out clause, ministers are considering new proposals which would reduce that distance by seven feet and two inches (about 12.5%) to fifty-seven feet and five inches (17.5 metres).

This example of bureaucratic nonsense pays no attention whatsoever to the different typefaces used in the various member states. It would, perhaps, have been a better step to rationalise those first.

The prescribed UK typeface is considerably taller than those used in France and Italy, for example. However, the width of the characters in the spectacularly ugly 'Charles Wright' font imposed on us in 2001 is only 1.97 inches (50mm) as opposed to the previous 2.24 inches (57mm).

This was in order to allow room for seven characters and a space, plus the left-hand blue national flag panel. Consequently the unnaturally condensed 'M's and W's are hardly distinguishable. It is a wonder that speed cameras are able to tell them apart, let alone a rookie motorist.

According to the road safety group, Brake, the current arrangements are, "Wholly inadequate" and they are demanding a full eyesight test as part of the driving qualification.

Perversely, the executive director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, Rob Gifford, considers that, “The eyesight test is a pretty reliable indicator."

See earlier article: Time's Up for Mr Magoo

Back to News Index