Police forces across the nation have launched a major offensive against a health concern that could see drivers stripped of their licences on the spot, in line with DVLA regulations.
The campaign, which kicked off last month and will extend into November, is part of a national road safety initiative aimed at reminding drivers of their legal duty to ensure their eyesight is up to scratch before hitting the road.
Dubbed ‘Operation Dark Night’, the effort by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) involves roadside vision tests and disseminating vital tips for maintaining clear vision under varying lighting conditions.
The DVLA has issued a reminder: “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 authority warns that failure to report such issues could result in a hefty fine of up to £1,000, and in the event of an accident, potential prosecution.
For those needing to declare a new medical condition affecting their vision, they can do so here. With the onset of darker evenings, the NPCC highlights that vision impairments become more pronounced as lower light levels cause pupils to dilate, magnifying even slight focusing errors and leading to blurred vision.
Motorists are being reminded that poor night vision or being blinded by oncoming headlights could mean they’re not meeting the minimum eyesight requirements for driving.
Warwickshire Police’s Inspector Si Paull, who has been conducting stop and checks this month, warned: “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.”
He emphasised the critical role of vision in driving, stating, “Ninety per cent of the information a driver uses is visual,” and highlighted the aim of roadside screenings to promote awareness about the importance of good eyesight.
Drivers who don’t meet the standards are not only flouting the law but also endangering themselves and others. The voluntary roadside vision screening involved drivers reading a number plate from 20 metres away, conducted in daylight with the correct distance maintained, and drivers were allowed to use their prescribed vision aids if needed while driving.
Dubbed as Cassie’s Law, this legislation empowers police to revoke driving licences instantaneously if a motorist fails the roadside number plate test and is considered unsafe for the road by an officer. Apart from the immediate license revocation, failing to meet legal eyesight requirements could also result in a fine or penalty points on your licence.
Motorists must not only pass the 20m number plate test but also have sufficient fields of vision, and the DVLA requires notification of specific eyesight conditions. The standards are particularly stringent for bus and lorry drivers.
Full information on legal eyesight standards for all drivers is available here.
Vision can deteriorate slowly and go unnoticed, hence optometrists suggest motorists undertake regular eye exams—typically once every two years unless a more frequent check-up is recommended—to maintain road-safe vision.
On the subject of road safety, Chief Constable Jo Shiner, National Police Chief Constable Lead for Roads Policing, conveys: “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.”
