Dear Sir,

The removal of the requirement for a medical on renewal of a driving licence every ten years is a retrograde step. This has been the case in Britain but they are changing this requirement. They (the DVLA) put the onus on the driver to report if they had any medical condition or the requirement of glasses or contact lenses.

Vehicles are not dangerous. It is the operator who is the cause of any problem by virtue of speed, driving under the influence or undue care. Thirty years or so ago, there was a report in The Optician, a British publication, of an accident involving a car hitting the back of a bus. The police investigation showed the car was correctly licensed and insured, the driver had a valid driving licence, but the driver was legally blind. Had they required a renewal every ten years with a medical requirement, I doubt whether this would have happened.

One's vision changes as one gets older as most people over the age of 40 will attest. Also the incidence of diabetes in Bermuda is high. This can affect one's vision. Another serious condition is glaucoma, which can cause a reduction in the field of vision, but the person may still have 20/20 vision. What this does is restrict the peripheral vision (like blinkers on a horse) and the driver will not have the side vision necessary for safe driving.

I do not want your readers to feel the two examples I have given are a reflection on persons with diabetes or glaucoma — there are many responsible persons with diabetes and glaucoma who are getting regular medical check-ups. However, there are people out there who are not aware they have these conditions. There are many other medical conditions where people should not be driving and are endangering their own lives as well as other road users.

If the Government wants to make the driving experience easier, I would suggest that the vehicle (a new one) should not require re-examination for five years after purchase, and thereafter every two years for six years. After the eleventh year, make the re-examination every year.

I am shocked that the Government has been so irresponsible when there are so many traffic incidents, with high speed, no licences and/or no insurance. As stated, a retrograde piece of legislation.

ANTONY SIESE

Paget