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Over 5,000 UK Drivers Banned in 2011 for Bad Eyesight

The British Department for Transport (DfP) is a very strict institution, which does not take the problem of poor eyesight lightly! According to autoexpress.co.uk, the DfP revoked or blocked around 5,285 licenses for cars and motorbikes, in 2011.
Drivers With Poor Eyesight Banned 1 photo
Photo: selfdiscoveryportal.com
The number represents a slight increase over the previous year’s numbers - 4,906 such cases were reported in 2010. Also, the number of truck drivers’ licenses revoked grew by a lot more, from 2010 into 2011 - 39%, from 493 to 685.

British Transport minister, Stephen Hammond, stated on the matter:

Licensing rules have an important part to play in keeping our roads safe.  We must make sure that only those who are safe to drive are allowed on our roads while at the same time avoiding placing unnecessary restrictions on people’s independence [ . . . ] If the DVLA is made aware that a licence holder may not meet the minimum eyesight standards for driving then they will investigate.  If it is confirmed that a driver does not meet the standards, the DVLA will revoke the licence.

The DfP rule clearly states that the driver must be able to see and read the number plate of another car, from 20 meters away - this is a simple test which you either pass or fail. If a driver is suspected as having caused an accident due to having bad eyesight but insisting on driving, then he or she could be prosecuted, and the insurance could be voided.
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