Mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70 being proposed by HMG. Good or bad?

[otherclive]

Whilst I agree that regular eye testing should be mandatory for all drivers, it would be too big a change politically - but once it is mandatory for over-70s we can campaign to get the age reduced.

Regular training and assesment would lose too many votes so not palatable politically, regardless of it's merit.

Whilst I agree with mandatory eye testing for older drivers, and encouragement of regular eye tests for all whether drivers or not. Has anyone given any real thought to the cost benefit of mandatory training and assessment every five years. We seem to live in a society that is chasing safety at any price and failing to heed the process of ALARP.

 

[Devonboy]

Whilst I agree that regular eye testing should be mandatory for all drivers, it would be too big a change politically - but once it is mandatory for over-70s we can campaign to get the age reduced.

Regular training and assesment would lose too many votes so not palatable politically, regardless of it's merit.

I hear what you say about votes but if you drive a forklift you are tested every 5 yrs if you hold a HGV/PCV you under go training over 5 yrs to maintain your CPC. Pass your car test at 17 and nothing unless you come to the attention of the police. We all make mistakes as drivers but some of the things i see happening on the road now on a regular basis beggars belief.

 

[Dustydog]

The Star letter in April's PCv focuses on the very subject we discussed to death. Anyone get the Milencos?😜
Here's a screenshot of the winning letter, hope it's allowed

 

[Dustydog]

A good friend of mine has just been told he needs to tell the DVLA he has Glaucoma , at a stage where reporting is mandatory. Do you agree he should tell his motor Insurers?

Can Glaucoma cause you the loss of your licence??
Rubbish getting older😥

 

[Jcloughie]

Sounds fairly convincing. But I have the thinner lenses and don’t suffer too much with glare. But my glasses were a long way from bottle bottoms.

John

 

[birdman101]

If Glaucoma only affects one eye and the other eye meets requirements for driving then no problem. But if affecting both eyes then yes must be notified. As my mother had i,I have been tested every 6 months at hospital for the last 45 years now,so if developing could be caught early.and Fortunatly still clear, My mother was classed blind by the time she died in her early 80’s

 

[otherclive]

A good friend of mine has just been told he needs to tell the DVLA he has Glaucoma , at a stage where reporting is mandatory. Do you agree he should tell his motor Insurers?

Can Glaucoma cause you the loss of your licence??
Rubbish getting older😥

My friend had glaucoma developing for a number of years and because he had not had eye tests it wasn’t diagnosed early. His driving required him to make continual side to side steering adjustments. I asked him if there was a problem and he said the Audi was getting old. But it still occurred in a brand new Ford. The final realisation was driving home from Portsmouth one evening and he couldn’t cope with the glare of oncoming traffic.

Since then it’s been a downhill slope. Surgical procedures, medication and quite painful drops. He stopped driving about 2-3 years ago and is blind in one eye, with limited vision in the other. When he pours out a wine he might miss the glass, whereas my arm tremor at least gets some in the glass.

He did inform. DVLA and he kept his licence until he was referred to Specsavers by DVLA. Because his sight in one eye was reasonable good he was able to retain his licence for a while longer, until SWMBO put her foot down.

So yes your friend should advise DVLA if he’s been advised to, and he meets the criteria in their medical questionnaire. Insurer I’m not so certain as at present he is still “legal”. However if he drives knowing his glaucoma is beyond the legal level he would be illegal.

 

[RogerL]

A good friend of mine has just been told he needs to tell the DVLA he has Glaucoma , at a stage where reporting is mandatory. Do you agree he should tell his motor Insurers?

Can Glaucoma cause you the loss of your licence??
Rubbish getting older😥

Glaucoma can cause loss of periphal vision, as shown on an optical field test, which is why DVLA need to know.

He should tell his insurer - most proposal forms ask if you have any conditions notifiable to DVLA so it will need to be declared every year.

DVLA will probably ask to see the results of a recent field test - and they may revoke his licence.

 

[RogerL]

If Glaucoma only affects one eye and the other eye meets requirements for driving then no problem. But if affecting both eyes then yes must be notified. As my mother had i,I have been tested every 6 months at hospital for the last 45 years now,so if developing could be caught early.and Fortunatly still clear, My mother was classed blind by the time she died in her early 80’s

For anyone who needs a vocational licence, eg bus or HGV, the minimum standard is applied to both eyes.

The effects of Glaucoma can't always be avoided by early detection - my wife has Uveitis and Glaucoma, both of which are monitored regularly at our regional specialist eye hospital - but if the Uveitis flares up quickly it causes more Glaucoma damage which isn't reversible.

She can still legally drive but we both think that the legal requirement is pathetically low, a view shared by her consultants, that she hasn't driven for about 15 years and doesn't bother to renew her licence. The only time this is an issue is when I'm laid up in hospital or had my own licence suspended!

 

[Dustydog]

Another friend had a brain tumour successfully removed two years ago. He told his insurers who then cancelled his policy. Finding a new Insurer two years on was difficult and the quotes ridiculously expensive. His wife does the driving now