Ignorant of highway code and lights on bikes law

[Alan O]

I have it on good authority, (from a PhD physicist whose speciality was 3d image perception and displays) that depth /distance perception from two eyes only really apllied to close up things - sewing, watchmaking etc). It would not help distance perception in driving, though you would obviously have a wider perioheral view. Incidentally that's why 3d movies are a bit of a false gimick rather than reality.

Also there is certainly no automatic ban for blind in one eye driving.

Indeed, it's distance specific, and the further away we're looking the less effective is our stereoscopic vision - because our eyes are really quite close together. But I don't accept the catregoric claim that stereoscopic vision only works for very close-up things (even if the claim came from a PhD), as we can all observe how much harder it is to judge everyday distances with one eye closed - try it and see. And drivers, by definition, hit things that are close to them.

And no, there is indeed no automatic ban for blind in one eye driving - nobody is suggesting that. But it's not automatically allowed either.

 

[Accy cyclist]

as we can all observe how much harder it is to judge everyday distances with one eye closed - try it and see.

Balls being thrown or kicked in my direction are a problem. I know it's not an everyday thing but say if someone just happened to say "catch it" as they threw a ball at me i'd have to embarrassingly decline, as attempting to catch it would be even more embarrassing. I've mentioned it before on CC. When it comes to crossing a road (a busy one like outside here for example) i can't just look each way and think it's safe. Instead i have to look as far as i can and draw a line in my head from the furthest distance to where i am,to convince myself that a vehicle isn't approaching. You know i should be saying these things when i see the eye departments,but they just want to get you out asap. I'd like to have at least 15 minutes with someone there and explain what i'm saying on here.

 

[Accy cyclist]

I've just checked my e-mails and found this.

Dear Mr (deleted for security reasons)

Thank you for your enquiry received on 5/6/2018.
Your case reference number is (deleted for security reasons)


The law requires you to tell us about any medical condition which could affect your ability to drive safely, however we can’t do this via email.

Depending on your medical condition and what vehicles you can drive, you may be able to use our new service which allows you to tell us online.

Other ways to tell us
If you can’t use this service you should download the relevant medical questionnaire and send them to us.

If you’re unable to print the medical questionnaire you should call our contact centre on:

0300 790 6806
Monday to Friday 8:00am to 5:30pm and Saturday 8:00am to 1:00pm

Alternatively, you can write to the following address:

Drivers Medical Group
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1TU

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I contacted the RNIB when i lost my right eyesight nearly 6 years ago. Just like the others they said that i wasn't classed as being blind or visually impaired and therefore i wasn't entitled to any help. Can you see why now that i'm a little bit angry with the world?! I'm expected to do things that i just can't do or do as well as i could with both eyes working. What i'm being told is that you have one eye so you'll just have to put up with it. One example of why i'm pissed off! The job centre keeps sending me suggestions for things like building site labourer where i'd have to climb ladders carrying heavy weights and stuff. Oh that'd be good wouldn't it(!) One bloody eye,two hip/leg breaks not to mention the other things yet they think i should be a builder's labourer ffs! They even send me suggestions for driver delivery jobs!

Having sight in only one eye is definitely a visual impairment although it might not be enough of an impairment to get you a bus pass. It explains this in the link I posted for you:

"If you have lost the sight in one of your eyes, your ophthalmologist will not be able to certify you as sight impaired or severely sight impaired unless you have significant sight loss in your other eye. This is because your other eye will largely compensate for the loss of sight in the affected eye." ​

So if you want to determine whether or not you do qualify, you'll have to undergo the tests explained in that link and hope that your ophthalmologist agrees and issues you with a CVI.

 

[Accy cyclist]

https://www.driving-medical-condition.service.gov.uk/conditions/search

When i get to the above bit and state my condition it won't let me continue.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Right, i stated their "loss of an eye" as it wouldn't accept my "I'm blind in one eye" submission.

https://www.driving-medical-conditi...ons/loss-of-an-eye/non-notifiable-vision/VIS3

You don't need to tell DVLA about your Loss of an eye

As you can see i don't have to inform them about my condition. Obviously if you've lost an eye(one of the options) then you're worse off than being blind in one eye. So if it's ok to drive with just one eye,it's ok to drive with two eyes,even though only one of them works..yes..no?

 

[Accy cyclist]

[QUOTE 5267353, member: 45"]You've talked about using a white cane when walking before. That suggests more of an issue than only having (perfect) use of one eye.

Can you see perfectly out of one eye, or is your eyesight so poor that you need to use a cane?[/QUOTE]
I honestly cannot remember talking about using a white cane/stick. If i did i was probably saying it in a light hearted way. I did however mention that i use a trekking stick to help me judge stair,kerb depths etc. I still do.

 

[Accy cyclist]

So it seems that i'm entitled to drive by law and that the opthamologist was right after all. If that's the case,i'd just like to say that in my opinion driving with one functioning eye just isn't the same as with two,but if the system doesn't make provision for you to get around if you should happen to surrender your license voluntarily,thinking that you may be a danger on the road then what are the alternatives apart from continuing to drive? The only consolation i can think of it that when you drive with one working eye you're less likely to take risks and you do tend to drive very carefully,as if you're retaking your driving test for example. Well i do,but i can't speak for the others.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

To save anyone else having to go through the questionnaire, here's the result for 'loss of an eye':

If Accy's ophthalmologist has carried out the field of vision test and established he meets the standard for driving then I'd say he's met the DVLA's requirements..

 

[Alan O]

Right, i stated their "loss of an eye" as it wouldn't accept my "I'm blind in one eye" submission.

https://www.driving-medical-conditi...ons/loss-of-an-eye/non-notifiable-vision/VIS3

You don't need to tell DVLA about your Loss of an eye

As you can see i don't have to inform them about my condition. Obviously if you've lost an eye(one of the options) then you're worse off than being blind in one eye. So if it's ok to drive with just one eye,it's ok to drive with two eyes,even though only one of them works..yes..no?

That does seem strange to me, and yes, it does suggest you're fine. However, the same page says "You could be prosecuted if you drive without meeting the standards of vision for driving".

And at https://help.rnib.org.uk/help/daily-living/transport-travel/monocular-drive it says...

Yes, you may still be able to drive a car or motorcycle if you only have one eye or sight loss in one eye (sometimes called "monocular vision"). This is provided that:

• the DVLA is satisfied that you have sufficient sight in your other eye (including a normal field of vision)
• your doctor or eye specialist confirms to the DVLA that you have adjusted to the loss of sight in one eye. Many people take up to three months to adapt safely to driving with one eye.

You really need to be absolutely certain here, so I strongly suggest you call the DVLA on the number provided. It sounds like you should be fine, but I think you should make absolutely sure.

And you really do need to tell your insurer too.

 

[Accy cyclist]

[QUOTE 5267361, member: 45"]well if that's the case it suggests that your monocular vision isn't "perfect"[/QUOTE] My monocular vision is ok. It's just being monocular that presents problems. I can see well out of my left eye, but without my right eye i can't always judge distances.

 

[Accy cyclist]

To save anyone else having to go through the questionnaire, here's the result for 'loss of an eye':

View attachment 412700

If Accy's ophthalmologist has carried out the field of vision test and established he meets the standard for driving then I'd say he's met the DVLA's requirements..

Well then i'm glad if that's the case. At least i now know that i'm not breaking the law and that the opthamologist wasn't just saying what he said to get me out of his clinic so he could see his next patient.

 

[Alan O]

More here - https://www.gov.uk/monocular-vision-and-driving

"You don’t need to tell DVLA if you have monocular vision if you’re still able to meet the standards of vision for driving."

That also suggests you should be fine, providing you're sure you can meet those standards. And, surprising though it might seem, your opthamologist might have been right all along.

 

[Accy cyclist]

[QUOTE 5267376, member: 45"]Does having to use a stick to judge kerbs and steps suggest that you don't meet the legal eyesight standard?

My one-eyed biker friend managed steps and kerbs without a stick, which does suggest that there's something else in your case.[/QUOTE]

Indeed, it's distance specific, and the further away we're looking the less effective is our stereoscopic vision - because our eyes are really quite close together. But I don't accept the catregoric claim that stereoscopic vision only works for very close-up things (even if the claim came from a PhD), as we can all observe how much harder it is to judge everyday distances with one eye closed - try it and see. And drivers, by definition, hit things that are close to them.

And no, there is indeed no automatic ban for blind in one eye driving - nobody is suggesting that. But it's not automatically allowed either.

Doesn't the above post explain it?

 

[Accy cyclist]

TFFT @Accy cyclist can you start another thread now please, I'm bored of this one

To think it was started to discuss someone on a bike without lights and it's ended up discussing my eyesight...again! Anyway,at least we've cleared a few things up and now i and others know that i'm legally entitled to drive and i won't be getting a thousand pound fine etc etc. As long as someone doesn't come up with more worrying stuff that is!