Time's Up for Mr Magoo

A long overdue change to the law regarding drivers' eyesight will come into force early in 2011. The legislation, which was passed by the European Union Parliament back in 2006, follows a refreshingly objective approach to the problem.

Up until now, the only form of examination required to test the vision of potential licence holders has been the almost laughably crude and unscientific road-side test, where the candidate is asked to read a number plate from an estimated distance.

Incredibly, since everyone is aware how eyesight changes with age, no further verification has been required until the grand old age of 70 years.

Under the new arrangements, the onus will be on the driver and his or her optician to ensure that vision irregularities are addressed by spectacles, contact lenses or laser correction at least every 15 years [five years for commercial drivers]. In much the same way as a doctor can effectively ban someone from driving on medical grounds, the humble optometrist appears set to take on an equal role.

This would, effectively, mean compulsory eyesight testing for all drivers - a situation that has never been proposed on general health grounds. It is envisaged that evidence of a recent eye examination will become a requirement of the licence application process.

It is likely, however, to remain just as difficult to monitor the wearing of prescribed lenses. An alarming survey of Welsh motorists concluded that just 10% of those with glasses chose to wear them behind the wheel.

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