Citation

Munton CGF. Vis. Veh. 1993; 4: 17-25.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Driving is a civil liberty and not a fundamental human right. As such it may be licensed by the state and equally the state may legitimately withdraw a driving license if there is indication of danger to other road users, or to the driver or his passengers. Thus, to restrict the driving license of a citizen is to withdraw an important civil liberty. In consequence while we must have standards for drivers visual performance, these standards must not be so stringent as to disbar a large proportion of the population. Currently in the United Kingdom (UK) law requires potential drivers to be able to read a standard number plate in good daylight. The test has some merit as a square wave contrast sensitivity test in the real outdoor environment. The law puts the burden of self-testing on the driver during the interval that the license is valid. Drivers are required to report relevant (actual) and prospective disabilities. Relevant disabilities discussed are: inability to meet the number plate test, an inadequate field of vision, double vision, night blindness, and recurrent obscurations of vision. Prospective disabilities discussed are: cataract, glaucoma, macular disease, high myopia, uveitis, keratitis, diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa.