Banned for speeding

[Drisgirl]

Perth Sheriff Court yesterday:

Man - stone deaf -glass eye - banned for 4 months for speeding (88mph) in a 60.

How the eff did he get a license in the first place let alone prove he is indeed a danger.


BTW -this is no way anything to do with disabilities -my cousin is stone deaf -but lets face it he doesnt have a lot going for him in the sensory department for taking charge of a car.

[jno]

I'm not sure if they take deafness into account. God knows half the drivers I see these days are listening to iPods; how they would hear a siren I can't think. I'm not so sure about the glass eye, though - surely he'd have had to disclose that when applying?

Most of the people I see speeding probably have two eyes and two ears, it's the speeding bit that's stupid and dangerous.

[Ethel]

Loss of an eye does not prevent a person driving a car:

You must notify the DVLA if you have lost sight in one eye. You may drive provided you have good sight in the other eye and can meet the eyesight requirement; the field of vision in the other eye is normal; and you have had sufficient time to adapt to the loss of sight in one eye, say a period of three months.

[Drisgirl]

Yeah -my cousin has a license -she isnt discriminated against as obviously the rest of her senses are heightend BUT a glass eye as well -that is pushing it.

Honestly when they reported it in the news last night the reporters sounded almost as incredulous as i looked.

[Ethel]

A person with only one eye can see as well as a person with two eyes - unless there are other problems.

Loss of hearing is no deterrent to driving and can be a bonus - no distractions from radio, ipods and other gadgetry.

Sirens are visual as well as audible.

[Drisgirl]

I think one or the other wouldnt be a problem but having both doesnt bode well for safe driving.

I know about the visual bit obviously but without seeming flippant he can hardly have total attention on the road if he has to use his mirror for say ambulances etc -that is as they say taking your eye off the road -more frequently than a hearing driver.

Im not happy TBH that people get licenses with those disabilities.No -im not having a go at anyone who has a disability -just a bit taken aback at this particular instance.

[Ethel]

A deaf person is no more disadvantaged than these young people driving round with boom boxes blasting out at alarming decibels.

All drivers should be aware at all times of what is all around them.

I am profoundly deaf and have no problems driving,

[Drisgirl]

Ethel -I agree -and you will see from my original post that my cousin AND auntie as it happens (mother and daughter) are profoundly deaf but combined with a glass eye -I think its a major disadvantage and could potentially be danderous -he must have blind spost -it only stands to reason (no pun intended).
I had to attend hospital and they had to freeze my eye as i had a knock in it and it had to be investigated.

I was told that I MUST NOT drive.


Here Knobby -wish I could get a motor 88mpg -lol

[Ethel]

Drisgirl - when you temporarily lose sight in one eye it is very disorientating, Your vision is skewiff and you bump in to things - even walking is difficult. You can't imagine ever being able to drive.

But if you are born with sight in only one eye, or vision is lost permanently, you do adapt and have perfectly good vision. You learn to turn your head slightly more and more often to get an all round field of vision comparable with people with sight in both eyes. It really is not a problem, which is why the DVLA allow one sighted people to hold a car driving licence,

[Drisgirl]

Point taken Ethel -I inderstand where you are coming from but I have to say I still feel a bit disconcerted that he was driving at that speed and has had his license taken.At best -he himself should have been more aware -I have all my senses (apart from common at times) but I wouldnt drive like that.

Just as an aside -do you remember the little blue disability cars (not that im suggesting anything at all TBH) its just talking about it that reminded me.Wonder what they were for and why theyre not here anymore -I had totally forgotten about them.