Sorry mate didn't see you

[Matthames]

There was an article in the express saying that there are about 5 million drivers on the road with poor eyesight: Article

I find this quite shocking, although reading the article the figures were obtained by a random spot test and a survey done by an insurance company. In the spot test about 9% of drivers could not read a number plate at more than 20 yards, it is a figure that gets worse the older the driver is.

According to the article there is a proposed EU legislation which could be introduced in 2013 requiring car/bike license holders to have an eye test every 10 years and HGV/PSV licence holders to have an eye test every 5 years.

 

[HLaB]

In a random spot test 9% of driver could not spot it I'm actually surprised its only 9%

 

[MacB]

It does seem to be an accepted part of life, both my parents went to great lengths putting off the wearing of glasses. My Dad ended up sitting in the corner of the lounge, between two large picture windows, middle of the day and still having to hold a book at arms length to be able to read. He finally gave in to mockery and got eye tests and glasses. But there was never any consideration about his driving.

 

[Leah]

Unless you take a test for a new class on your driving license, or are stopped by the police, it is never checked.

It should be checked yearly imo, and your license 'suspended' or something until you are able to pass the test with glasses/contacts.

I know my eyesight has deteriorated over the last few years (working with a VDU for a living) but I have eye tests each year to check my sight.

 

[Number14]

Dodgy stats quoted here. 5 million motorists = 9% would equate to approximately 55 milliion drivers. Not bad out of a population of around 60 million!

 

[GFamily]

It does seem to be an accepted part of life, both my parents went to great lengths putting off the wearing of glasses. My Dad ended up sitting in the corner of the lounge, between two large picture windows, middle of the day and still having to hold a book at arms length to be able to read. He finally gave in to mockery and got eye tests and glasses. But there was never any consideration about his driving.

It sounds like he was developing presbyopia - which specifically manifests as difficulty viewing nearby objects. I don't see why that would have a particular effect on his ability to drive safely.

 

[MacB]

It sounds like he was developing presbyopia - which specifically manifests as difficulty viewing nearby objects. I don't see why that would have a particular effect on his ability to drive safely.

I wouldn't know on that one, I was more highlighting the fact that driving considerations never came in to the decision to have an eye test.

 

[hackbike 666]

I wonder if BentMikey will now believe me.

 

[BentMikey]

About what mate?

 

[Arch]

It sounds like he was developing presbyopia - which specifically manifests as difficulty viewing nearby objects. I don't see why that would have a particular effect on his ability to drive safely.

Looking at the speedometer? Or in the mirrors?

 

[hackbike 666]

About what mate?

Motorists seriously cannot see you because their eyesight isn't that good...After my scare on that roundabout in Gran Canaria when that old fart nearly knocked me off I really missed my hi-viz that night.

 

[Matthames]

Dodgy stats quoted here. 5 million motorists = 9% would equate to approximately 55 milliion drivers. Not bad out of a population of around 60 million!

Don't forget that this is the Express and their idea of our population is a bit, shall we say skewed.

 

[KennyGray]

Motorists seriously cannot see you because their eyesight isn't that good...After my scare on that roundabout in Gran Canaria when that old fart nearly knocked me off I really missed my hi-viz that night.

I am 6" 4 with a bright yellow jacket on and i got smidsy the other day. I also drive fire appliances and sometimes they dont even see us, what chance have you got against some out there?

 

[GFamily]

Or in the mirrors?

LOL !

I do hope you're not being serious

 

[hackbike 666]

I am 6" 4 with a bright yellow jacket on and i got smidsy the other day. I also drive fire appliances and sometimes they dont even see us, what chance have you got against some out there?

Im usually ok but that Land Rover that nearly wiped me out took the biscuit.

I could say I suffer them very rarely but that was a big time SMIDSY.

I really don't know what he was doing though but at least he did a last minute brake which saved my bacon.