MOTORING IN BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20716, 8 November 1930, Page 13

MOTORING IN BRITAIN.

TESTS FOR DRIVERS. EYESIGHT AND HEALTH. THE NEW REGULATIONS. Some of the new regulations which will govern the future issue of motor-car licences in Britain and (he running of public service vehicles under the Road Traffic Act were announced a few weeks ago.

As from December 1 the following will be an absolute bar to the issue of a motor-driver's licence: —(1) Extremelydo fective eye-sight; (2) liability to disabling fits.

Actual standards of disability were under discussion with representatives of the British Medical Association. A scientific eyesight test will be laid down in the regulations, but for the man in the street a rough guide will probably be: Ability to read a inolor-car numberplate in ordinary daylight, with glasses, if worn, at. a distance of about 30 to 35 yards. Every applicant for a motor-driver's licence will have to declare whether hp is suffering from anything likely to interfere with his efficiency as a driver, such as: Heart attacks, epileptic fits, or mental disease. There are stiff penalties for a false declaration, and if an applicant is in any doubt a medical examination is recommended.

Disabled drivers—one arm, one leg, stiff leg, etc.—who are at present driving, will be compelled to sign a declaration to the effect that their driving has not been a source of danger. Existing licences will then be renewed.

Disabled drivers who are new applicants for licences will have to pass a driving lest. Details of the test have been agreed with the representatives of the motoring organisations and the Dis abled Men's .Association. The test requires that a driver should be able to carry out promptly and effectively the ordinary operations connected with the driving of a motor vehicle; for instance, reversing a vehicle into an assigned position; stopping a vehicle within a reasonable distance, according to speed; and stopping and starting a vehicle on a, steep incline. The new form of driver's licence will contain evidence of identification. A photograph is not favoured, and probably the driver's signature will be required. Existing licences will run their course, the new regulations applying to new applications. -