asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to a statement by the general secretary of the Association of Ophthalmic Opticians that almost onethird of Irish drivers would fail a basic sight test; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Drivers' Eyesight Test.
159.
I have noted reports in the media in relation to the statement referred to by the Deputy. The position regarding standards for eyesight in relation to driver licensing in Ireland may be summarised as follows:
Under the Road Traffic Acts the submission of medical evidence as to the absence of any disability (including eyesight) which would affect driving ability is specifically required in relation to all driving licence applications by persons aged 70 years or over and in the case of first time applications for "E" and "H" licences (buses and articulated vehicles). In all other cases an application for a driving licence must be accompanied by a declaration that the applicant is not suffering from any disease or disability which would affect safe driving; otherwise medical evidence of fitness to drive must be submitted. It is an offence to make a false declaration in this respect or to drive a vehicle while incapacitated to such an extent as to be likely to be a source of danger to the public.
While provision was made in the Road Traffic Act, 1968, for the introduction of an eyesight test to operate in conjunction with the driving test, the implementation of this provision was deferred pending the development and introduction of an EEC directive, adopted in 1980, on the harmonisation of driver licensing standards throughout the Community. The application of medical and other standards by member countries in accordance with the directive on the granting of driving licences has been the subject of a comparative study undertaken recently on behalf of the Commission. The outcome of this study is being awaited.