Wheeler Dealers’ Mike Brewer weighs in on older | Tech News

Wheeler Dealers host Mike Brewer has backed eyesight checks for older motorists, agreeing that over-70s ought to be checked. The host of the basic car restoration sequence defined that testing older drivers’ imaginative and prescient was “really important” as he backed the introduction of new rules. 

Last month, it emerged that compulsory eye test rules were likely to be set out in the Government’s latest road safety strategy set to be published this Autumn. The checks would see eye tests become compulsory for over-70s every time they renew their driving licence. This is likely to see older drivers forced to undergo eye assessments every three years when they apply for a new photocard.

The news has received a mixed response on social media with many older drivers appearing to be frustrated that they were being targeted. But, speaking to Express.co.uk, Mike said: “I don’t know why people get angry, I’m all for it. 

“I think it’s really important, I’ve been in cars with people over 60 and their eyesight’s not good enough and I’ve been terrified sitting in the passenger seat.

“The inconvenience that they are moaning about is they have to go and get a free eye test, which is ridiculous. If you’ve got bad eyes, you shouldn’t be driving. I’d rather be safer on the roads and have people safer around me on the roads than not.”

Motorists will need to have a imaginative and prescient of not less than ​decimal 0.5 (6/12) on the Snellen scale to stay secure behind the wheel. 

This is normally illustrated by checking if highway customers can learn a quantity plate from round 20 metres or 5 car lengths. However, highway customers are solely required to self-certify their medical situation and eyesight and don’t face formal checks later in life. 

Eyesight can typically be exhausting to diagnose, with imaginative and prescient deteriorating slowly over time, making it virtually not possible for a lot of to note. The Older Drivers Forum has beforehand claimed that highway customers ought to get their eyes checked round each two years. 

However, some people ought to go for more checks if their optician advises further assessments. The information was welcomed by many specialists, together with Adam Sampson, Chief Executive of the Association of Optometrists (AOP).

Adam mentioned: “The introduction of compulsory sight tests for motorists over 70, alongside wider changes, signals a decisive break from complacency in the face of preventable tragedies. 

“For too long, the UK has relied on a self-reporting model for visual standards – one of the laxest regimes in Europe – despite mounting evidence that it puts lives at risk.”