If you have an accident and it’s found that you’d failed to keep your car roadworthy, for example excessively worn tyres, and that was a contributory factor in the accident, your insurer will probably refuse to pay up. And the police may also show an interest too! Quite reasonable many of you will say. But what if it’s you that’s un-roadworthy? That's why Online Car Insurance is very essential.
How many driving accidents are accompanied by the comment “I didn’t see the other vehicle”? And what happens if the problem was your eyesight? Has it deteriorated to that very fatal extent?
Well all of us clearly know that once we have poor eyesight and there are opticians to assist on every high street. Remember, if you need contact lenses or glasses for driving then you must wear them and if your eyesight deteriorates you should get a new prescription. It is the sole and legal responsibility of all drivers to ensure that they are safe and fit to drive.
Only a few weeks back i drew up alongside an elderly driver who was clearly having trouble reading the junction signs. He was leaning forward trying to decipher signs indicated across Leeds and rolling forward at 10mph - all this at traffic lights that by this moment turned red- and he clearly he failed to see all those! He was just too lucky that the cars approaching from the right side saw him beforehand. I’m not even sure he saw them either!
The law is quite straightforward – it states that any driving licence holder who cannot meet the minimum level of eyesight must not drive. Similarly, they are mandated to surrender their driver's license. So, this is exactly when online car insurance comes into play.
The eyesight examination for drivers states that you should be able to read a number plate containing letters and figures 50mm wide and 80mm in height (the legal number plate) from a distance of at least 25 meters. But then again you can use your driving glasses.
This being said, there's no legal obligation for you to have a regular eye examination but you are required to tell the DVLA if you may have in some occasion developed any medical problem that may have a direct bearing on your fitenss to drive. If you fail to disclose to them, that's a criminal offense.
In some American states drivers have to take an eye test every five years but not in the UK. Here, a septuagenarian motorist must complete a medical form once every 3 years to confirm his fitness to drive and the definition of 'fitness' includes eyesight. Once these drivers fail to send in their medical form, they will certainly lose their driver's license. (I wonder what that elderly gentleman at the traffic lights said on his?)
On the insurance front, if you are involved in an accident where your defective eyesight was a contributory factor, your insurance company may well argue that you were negligent and refuse to pay out. This could be simply because you needed glasses to drive but weren’t wearing them at the time.
So drive carefully, and keep your eyes peeled – elderly gentleman in Leeds please take note!
Learn more and get your Online Car Insurance Quotes today.
