§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 26 February (WA 42), why there are no requirements for eyesight tests to be conducted after road traffic accidents. [HL1979]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonCurrent provisions already allow a police officer to require a driver to take an eye-test where there is reasonable cause to suspect that the driver's uncorrected eyesight might have contributed to a road traffic accident. The Government are satisfied that these powers are adequate and have no plans to introduce a requirement for routine eye-testing.
In 2001 there were 228 driving incidents in which eyesight might have been a factor. There are however approximately 750,000 road traffic accidents in Great Britain each year. Routine eye-testing after each would represent an unnecessary and onerous extra burden on the police.
It is in individual drivers' own interests to ensure that their eyesight meets the required standard for safe driving. The Department for Transport has recently introduced a public information film that emphasises the importance of eyesight to driving.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Macdonald of Tradeston on 26 February (WA 42–43,) whether they will press for all drivers over 45 to 176WA show that they have had their eyes tested within the past two years and have taken action, if necessary, on the results. [HL1978]
§ The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston)The Department for Transport has been encouraging the European Commission for several years to approach the question of medical standards for driver licensing (including eyesight) on a rational basis commanding appropriate consensus of opinion. Last month we secured international agreement to set up an expert working group to deal with this issue and to make recommendations. UK representatives will play a full part in that group and will ensure that recommendations take account of research in the UK and elsewhere.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have received that drivers, driving with "below eyesight test" levels of sight, have been responsible for road traffic accidents. [HL1981]
§ Lord Macdonald of TradestonThe Government have received written representations on the issue of defective eyesight and driving from a number of individuals and a few organisations, including Specsavers Optical Group and the National Federation of Women's Institutes. No official statistics are available attributing road traffic accidents to specific medical conditions, including defective eyesight.