Car Insurance - Eyesight

DUTR

George_Michael wrote: »

How can you be equally concerned about something that you are powerless to change?
If someone has no first hand knowledge of people driving drunk etc, what would you suggest they do to try and prevent it from happening? Could they phone the police and just say that according to DUTR, there are loads of drivers out and about whilst under the influence?

They know about their friend's condition but unlike the other drivers you refer to, they are in a position to do something that may help prevent someone getting injured or killed.

What I know from the condition described, the vessels in the eye may burst, from what I know a medical professional can advise the dvla and the patient .
The OP could equally call the police on his friend just as you are suggesting for the drivers under the influence, anybody on the road poses a hazard, unless the OP is a medical professional, I don't think it's his place to post here suggesting his friend shouldn't be driving. I see a lot of people that I could deem not fit to be on the road (just as others may see me and deem me not fit to be on the road. Few of us are empowered to make that call.

Joe_Horner

Whether or not you should worry is really quite simple, but does depend a little on whether you believe your friend is being honest with you about the situation.

He says he's informed the DVLA, and it's entirely possible that they'll simply acknowledge without requiring further action. There are many medical conditions that they need to be aware of but don't place restrictions for.

So, it basically comes down to whether or not his corrected vision is up to the standard required. Which is really quite low!

Watching a tv (even a big one) or reading a kindle etc is entirely different for your eyes than watching a road in reasonable light - different focal distances, different lighting and vastly different contrast ranges. If he wears glasses while driving it's entirely possible for them to correct well enough to drive while being completely useless for watching TV etc, which he may well be doing with unaided vision or an old prescription.

It seems he's aware of your concerns so, as an old friend, can you ask him to do the number plate reading bit? If he's good for that and the DVLA are happy with im having this condition then he's probably no more of a risk than any other driver out there

forgotmyname

The policy will usually ask about any DVLA notifiable conditions.

Aretnap

forgotmyname wrote: »

The policy will usually ask about any DVLA notifiable conditions.

Indeed, but it may or may not require him to inform his insurers of them immediately. My current policy only requires me to tell my insurers before my next renewal if I develop any notifiable conditions.

marlot

This could be a salutary lesson?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2615165/Short-sighted-motorist-killed-93-year-old-pensioner-zebra-crossing-drove-wearing-wrong-pair-spectacles.html

DUTR

marlot wrote: »

This could be a salutary lesson?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2615165/Short-sighted-motorist-killed-93-year-old-pensioner-zebra-crossing-drove-wearing-wrong-pair-spectacles.html

And just to add balance http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2193865/Britains-oldest-motorist-living-fast-lane-105-years-old.html

marlot

DUTR wrote: »

And just to add balance http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2193865/Britains-oldest-motorist-living-fast-lane-105-years-old.html

My comment wasn't about age, but about the potential consequences of driving with eyesight not up standard.

I don't equate age with competency, but I do find it shocking that someone can pass their test at 17 and never have to do a day's further training in their life. I'm a firm believer in EVERY motorist having to do compulsory top-up training every 3 years or so. Not necessarily a test - though I would include a check that they can read a number plate at the right distance.

DUTR

marlot wrote: »

My comment wasn't about age, but about the potential consequences of driving with eyesight not up standard.

I don't equate age with competency, but I do find it shocking that someone can pass their test at 17 and never have to do a day's further training in their life. I'm a firm believer in EVERY motorist having to do compulsory top-up training every 3 years or so. Not necessarily a test - though I would include a check that they can read a number plate at the right distance.

I wasn't having a go, and your post above summarises things better than much of the whole thread, the vision thing is a good one, as there are many many drivers of all ages on the road with poor eyesight.

The_Loan_Stranger

I do know from past family experience that if your friend has this condition in both eyes, the consultant should (and quite probably has) told him that he HAS to tell DVLC, and then DVLC will contact his consultant for all the relevent information on his condition and ask the consultants opinion on the ability for the patient to drive safely with said condition.

DUTR

The_Loan_Stranger wrote: »

I do know from past family experience that if your friend has this condition in both eyes, the consultant should (and quite probably has) told him that he HAS to tell DVLC, and then DVLC will contact his consultant for all the relevent information on his condition and ask the consultants opinion on the ability for the patient to drive safely with said condition.

Don't you have family members that drive themselves?
I don't know at what level the opticians or medics suggest one shouldn't drive, however it is not at the level the self appointed would assume, my Mum felt uncomfortable driving even though the opticians didn't suggest she shouldn't drive any longer, my Mum said at night it was just a nightmare . I don't think the OP's friend is Mr Maggoo though .