asked the Minister for the Environment the action he proposes to take as a result of a report in the media (details supplied) which indicated that 29 per cent of Irish drivers have deficient eyesight.
Written Answers. - Drivers' Eyesight.
349.
Under the Road Traffic Acts, every applicant for a driving licence must, on each application, declare that he is not suffering from any disease or disability which would affect safe driving, or otherwise obtain a certificate of fitness, following a comprehensive medical examination, including eyesight. It is an offence to make a false declaration, or to drive a motor vehicle in a public place while incapacitated to such an extent as to be likely to be a source of danger to the public.
There is under examination at present the question of the form of eyesight check which will be required to implement an EEC directive to apply to new drivers at a future date.