Compulsory eye tests for new drivers are on the cards, with the Road Safety Council poised to recommend them to Government.

Chairman of the council Dr. Christopher Johnson (pictured) said accidents dropped in countries such as the US, UK and Canada where vision tests are mandatory.

?I think this is going to make a significant impact. The statistics show as much as a 30 percent reduction in accidents when you start testing,? he said.

Although those wishing to gain a driver?s licence undergo a health check by their GP which includes a basic eye test, Dr. Johnson said the plans would lead to a more comprehensive test at the TCD.

As well as checking the ability to read letters from a distance, night vision, peripheral vision and the effects of glare would also be assessed by qualified optometrists. The test would be repeated once every ten years with those who fail barred from driving until their sight defects are addressed. Feedback from optometrists is currently being sought by project planners.

Dr. Johnson admitted the scheme is unlikely to address the high rate of bike-related fatalities ? all ten of those who died on Bermuda?s roads this year have been riders ? but said it would have an effect elsewhere.

?Eighty percent of these fatalities or greater are people riding bikes, and people with vision problems are not going to be on bikes as they tend to be elderly people, but one can expect a reduction in accidents with vision testing,? he said. ?Everyone would agree we don?t want people who don?t see well on the streets.?

The recommendation paper is complete and ready to be presented to the Transport Minister ? the position currently held by Walter Lister. Making reference to the imminent PLP leadership vote and associated cabinet reshuffle that put Mr. Lister in post, Dr. Johnson explained: ?It?s ready. We just need to find out who the Minister is.?

Recently-released accident statistics from the Police show 2,153 road accidents in the year until the end of September. The three most common causes were inattention, inexperience, and tailgating, with speed not listed as a separate factor. A total of 75 of the accidents resulted in an arrest for impaired driving.

?Maybe the statistics don?t show it but alcohol is often involved,? said Dr. Johnson, adding that as a surgeon, it was his personal opinion that all those injured in road accidents should be tested for both drink and drugs. Although this is not routinely done at present, he said this would assist medics in treatment and ensure more of those who drive under the influence are brought to book.

Several other initiatives aimed at cutting the carnage on the roads are also in the pipeline. Dr. Johnson revealed that long-mooted plans to ban people from driving while talking on cell phones may not even require new legislation.

?We are looking at the legal part of this. It may be possible to enforce this under the present policy as inattention,? he said. Any enforcement would follow a public awareness campaign of around six months.

Plans are also afoot for a graduated licence system, which would see new young riders subjected to curbs on their driving for a year after passing their test, such as not carrying pillion passengers or riding at night.

Dr. Johnson said initial proposals were over-complicated, but a ?simplified? recommendation would be made to Government before the year is out.