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compensation following an accident
illness or injury - nationwide
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Eyesight is obviously a crucial aspect of driving safety. Everyone who wishes to drive a car, motorcycle, lorry or van must meet basic requirements in law to be able to see a certain distance. In terms of safety new drivers must pass the basic sight test before they can take their test, however quality of eyesight can deteriorate between the ages of 30 and 50. It can be hard to tell if your eyesight has changed so a yearly test should be carried out by an optometrist to determine whether it is still safe to drive and whether the problem can be solved with glasses or contact lenses. According to the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) a third of drivers in Great Britain - 13 million people – could be breaking the law and putting themselves and others in danger because of poor eyesight.
Before you take your driving test
Before you even receive your provisional license it is important that you inform the DVLA of any eye defects you have. You should tell them if you have any condition which affects both eyes and of any condition which affects your sight. This is not including long or short sightedness as this can be corrected with glasses or lenses. You should also declare it if you have had sight corrective surgery.
Requirements for the practical driving test
Immediately before your practical test your examiner will ask you to read the number plate on a stationary vehicle. The distance requirement for the old style number plates is 20.5 metres, the distance for the new style plates is 20 metres. You are permitted to write down what you see. You have three attempts at the number plate and if you do not answer correctly the third time then you will fail your test. If you then get glasses and successfully pass the eyesight test at another time then you will be able continue with the practical test.
Common conditions
Glaucoma and cataracts are two of the most common eyesight conditions. They mainly affect older people; however there are a range of conditions which can affect the eyesight of a person at any age. Having a sight test will highlight the majority of conditions and may also give clues about less common diseases.
You should always inform the DVLA of any illness or condition affecting your sight. If your vision is impaired then you will be putting yourself at risk and also endangering other road users.
Personal injury claim
If you have been involved in an accident that someone else has caused through negligence, such as knowing about a sight problem yet continuing to drive, then you are entitled to make a compensation claim. At YouClaim we help thousands of people to move on after a car accident or any other accident that caused a personal injury claim. We work on a No Win No Fee basis so it does not cost a penny to claim.
Call now on 0800 10 757 95 for free legal advice about being involved in a car accident. If you prefer you can fill in our online claim form and we will call you back.
