New Law Sees Man's Driving Licence Revoked

An older driver has had his driving licence taken away after Cassie's Law was brought in last month.

Around 8.35pm on Thursday 28 February a PCSO on patrol in an unmarked vehicle noticed a car being driven erratically and then saw it collide with a parked vehicle in Lowestoft Road. Police officers attended and conducted an eyesight test on the driver, which he failed.

Under a new DVLA system introduced last month police officers can now request the immediate revocation of a driving licence when a motorist's eyesight fails to meet the required standard.

It's part of Cassie's Law, which came into effect in February 2013. The sixteen year old was knocked down and killed by an elderly driver who had failed an eye test. Her mum, who lives in Ipswich, successfully campaigned for new rules to be brought in to speed up the process of taking someone's licence away from them if they failed a sight test.

Previously police had to notify the DVLA in writing, which in some cases meant it was several days before the licence was revoked, but the new rules, introduced on February 7, mean this process can now be done electronically.

The DVLA were informed of the incident and the man's driving licence was revoked.

Once revoked a licence will not be returned until a driver can demonstrates that their eyesight meets the requirement to read a number plate from 20 metres.

Iain Temperton, Team Manager for Casualty Reduction at Norfolk County Council, said; "We would urge all drivers to have an eye test at least every two years. If any older road users have concerns about any aspect of driving they can contact us for advice and guidance, all of which is confidential and supportive. As part of our GOLD scheme we can provide a specifically tailored driving assessment, in the drivers own vehicle on their local roads. We can also work with health professionals to ensure that there are no issues around eyesight, medication and mobility. Our aim is to keep Norfolk's older population 'driving safer for longer' - we do not have an agenda of taking drivers off the road, but need to ensure that we are all as safe as we can be."