§ 43. Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport how many persons have so far been convicted under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act, which makes it an offence for a person to drive a motor vehicle whilst his eysight is such that he cannot comply with the requirements prescribed under the principal Act; and whether he is satisfied that the machinery for preventing persons from driving with uncorrected defective eyesight is working satisfactorily.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI think that the hon. Member has in mind Section 42. I am informed that separate figures for convictions under this section are not available. We are satisfied that present legislation for preventing people with defective eyesight from driving and the way it operates are reasonably adequate, but my right hon. Friend reviews the position from time to time.
§ Sir B. JannerIn view of the accidents which have occurred, will an investigation take place fairly soon, because it is extremely important that people who drive should have the right eyesight qualifications to enable them to drive in a manner which is not dangerous to the public?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI agree. It may well be that the present eyesight test should be made more stringent. We propose to consider this in the context of the general review of medical standards for drivers, but, meanwhile, police officers have the power to require an eyesight test if they are suspicious and the courts have power to send people to prison for up to three months or fine them £50 if they disregard this Section of the Act.