Written question WQ86507
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What action is the Minister taking to ensure that clear advice is given to opticians in Wales concerning reporting to the DVLA patients who do not meet the minimum eyesight standards to be able to drive?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
DVLA services are non-devolved.
The DVLA sets the vision standards that must be met to be able to drive and the process for drivers to report eye conditions which may affect their ability to drive. The citizen is legally responsible for informing the DVLA if they do not meet the vision standard for driving.
Advice is available to optometrists through their professional bodies such as the College of Optometrists regarding reporting to the DVLA patients who do not meet the minimum eyesight standards to be able to drive and who do not self-report to the DVLA.
It is recommended that most people should have their eyesight tested at least every two years even if there is no change to their vision. Regular sight tests can detect the first stages of an eye condition and pick up on medical problems like diabetes and high blood pressure before they become symptomatic.
Ensuring the safety and reliability of the strategic road network is of primary transport concern and the Road Safety Framework for Wales outlines the actions the Welsh Government and our partners will take to reduce the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on roads in Wales. Policy officials, including Welsh Governments Transport Police liaison officers, are meeting with key stakeholders this month to consider how further to raise awareness of the links between poor vision and driving. This is a multi-agency partnership approach.