Eye test post road accident.

[Paul Sherridan]

The law states that in certain circumstances (Usually after road traffic accidents) a police officer can require the driver of a vehicle to take an eye test. This must be done in the the day time (even if accident was at night time.)

The driver is allowed to wear glasses or lenses only if they were being worn at the time of the accident.

The distance is 20.5 meters and involves reading a car registration number plate.

The downside being if you drive knowing your eyesight is not up to the job, espescially at night and you have an accident, you may be liable to be prosecuted for numerous driving offences.
This in turn may invalidate your insurance.

The key here being don't be to ready to blame
your eyesight as being a contributory factor to an accident. Think carefully and take legal advice if you are unsure.

Above all... You know how your eyesight effects your standard of driving. Be sensible and only drive within your safe limits.

Hope this helps,
Paul

[GarethB]

Paul wise words. That is why when I had an accident in May this year I made it perfectly clear I had my lenses in.

Also done the Institute of Advance Motorists driving test when I was having lens problems and trying to prevent the hospital giving up on one eye. Just in case though I did the IAM test with just the one lens and it was not until after the test when I had passed that the examiner found I was at that tme legally blind in one eye!

He only found out when he asked why a memeber of the IAM was retaking the test.

The examiner was a Police persuit trainer for the West Midlands Police and I was spotting things that many of their trained drivers would miss.

I was well chuffed.