Are you safe to drive?

Police will be checking drivers’ vision as part of a national road safety campaign launched this week.

The National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) Operation Dark Night campaign, which runs to Sunday, November, will see Lincolnshire Police officers highlighting the importance of eyesight and carrying out roadside vision screening.  

As the nights draw in, more drivers will find themselves on the roads after dark, and this may lead drivers to notice problems with their eyesight.

Inspector Jason Baxter of Specialist Operations said: “Good vision is a prerequisite of safe driving, so it’s vital that before you get behind the wheel, you are sure that your eyesight is up to the task. We want to raise awareness of the importance of this and roadside screening will help ensure that Lincolnshire road users are safe.

“If you fail the required standards, you are breaking the law and this could mean a fine of up to £1,000, three penalty points and even possible disqualification.

“It’s not acceptable to put other road users at risk and part of that is taking responsibility and making sure you are fit to drive in every way. Only when all drivers and riders do this, will we reduce the number of serious and fatal road traffic collisions.”

Voluntary roadside vision screening will ask drivers to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres in good daylight conditions, using a registration plate affixed to a vehicle measured at the correct distance, and with the driver wearing any eyesight correction, for example glasses, worn at the time driving.

Cassie’s Law legislation means that drivers who fail a roadside number plate test could have their licence revoked on the spot if a police officer deems them to be unsafe to be on the road. Other penalties can include a fine or penalty points.

Over time, vision can decline gradually and so eye experts recommend that all motorists have regular sight tests – every two years unless advised otherwise by an optometrist – to help ensure that vision remains roadworthy.

The DVLA must be notified of some certain eyesight conditions. Full details of the legal eyesight standards for all motorists can be found at  www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules