§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many diabetic retinopathy sufferers have had their driving licences revoked in each of the past three years; how many appealed against the decision; and how many had their licence subsequently returned. [184633]
§ Mr. JamiesonInformation on the total number of revocations over the last three years for drivers who have diabetic retinopathy is not available without incurring disproportionate costs. When a licence is revoked, the driver is always offered the opportunity to provide fresh evidence, which in such cases would normally be in the form of further visual field charts. If the new fields satisfy the standard, a licence will be reissued. No information is readily available on how many drivers have their licences returned on this basis.
Since 2001, 18 drivers revoked because of diabetic retinopathy have formally appealed to a magistrates court in England and Wales or to a Sheriff Court in Scotland. Three went to a full hearing and of these two were dismissed and one was upheld and a new licence was issued. The other 15 appeals were withdrawn and eight have subsequently been issued with licences following the submission of fresh visual fields which met the required standard.
§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's policy is on driving and visual disorders as they relate to people with diabetes; and if he will make a statement. [184635]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe visual standards and assessment procedures applied in relation to drivers with diabetes are those to which all drivers are subject, regardless of their medical condition.