Guns on farms

[Highland Mule]

Specsavers estimate that a third of all drivers don't meet the basic eyesight standard. We had a case in the news up here last week about an older chap who killed someone in an accident and it transpires he couldn't read a plate at over 4.8metres and had been told to stop driving by his optician. I would have no problems with some sort of confirmation of corrected eyesight, once a certain age is attained - maybe something as simple as sending a copy of our prescription away with the renewal for over 70s?

OAP warned not to drive killed cyclist in Aviemore crash while defying ban

AN OAP warned by an optician not to drive due to his failing sight killed a cyclist while defying the ban. John Johnstone, 84, ploughed into Hanno Garbe, 57, after taking to the road despite catara…

www.thescottishsun.co.uk

Update: 84 year old man jailed for 32 months. Apparently he was told by his potician to hand in his licence, then again by the surgeon, but carried on driving regardless - right until the point he hit and killed a cyclist.

Driver, 84, jailed for causing fatal crash near Aviemore

Hanno Garbe was killed in the crash caused by a pensioner who ignored warnings about his failing eyesight.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Dry Rot]

I was coming out of the chemists the other day when I notice a car stopped on double yellow lines opposite the shop. A little old lady got out (with difficulty!), then reached back into the car to get her white stick. (I swear this is true!).

And it is still those aged 18 to 26 who are responsible for the most accidents! Generally, the old know their limitations, the young won't.

 

[dudders]

The young don't have limitations. Except to their brains.

 

[ollie989898]

I was coming out of the chemists the other day when I notice a car stopped on double yellow lines opposite the shop. A little old lady got out (with difficulty!), then reached back into the car to get her white stick. (I swear this is true!).

And it is still those aged 18 to 26 who are responsible for the most accidents! Generally, the old know their limitations, the young won't.

Perfectly legal for people with some sight impairments to drive, some of them merely use the stick for reassurance when walking. I.e. people get out of their way.

 

[Dry Rot]

...which reminds me of the American being shown around by a Brit. The American was curious about the zebra crossing. Ah yes, a good idea to allow pedestrians to cross a busy street. But why the beeping? Oh, says the Brit, that's so blind people will know when the crossing lights have gone red. American thinks for a moment, then shakes his head. "You Brits are so tolerant. Back in the States, we don't allow blind people to drive".

 

[Minesapint]

...which reminds me of the American being shown around by a Brit. The American was curious about the zebra crossing. Ah yes, a good idea to allow pedestrians to cross a busy street. But why the beeping? Oh, says the Brit, that's so blind people will know when the crossing lights have gone red. American thinks for a moment, then shakes his head. "You Brits are so tolerant. Back in the States, we don't allow blind people to drive".

Or the airline pilot, who on a stopover spotted a frequent flyer and her guide dog in 1st class. He offered to take her dog down onto the runway for a walk. Apparently there were some rather concerned passengers as he walked past them to the exit steps.

 

[Dry Rot]

Or the airline pilot, who on a stopover spotted a frequent flyer and her guide dog in 1st class. He offered to take her dog down onto the runway for a walk. Apparently there were some rather concerned passengers as he walked past them to the exit steps.

There's (quite a few) similar stories about Logan Air, the air service to the Scottish Outer Isles. Better not get me started!

 

[MRT]

If 1/3 of people do not meet the minimum standard maybe the standard is too high as less than 1/3 are dangerous

 

[Highland Mule]

If 1/3 of people do not meet the minimum standard maybe the standard is too high as less than 1/3 are dangerous

The standard is to read a plate at 67’, and you think that’s too difficult? Sorry, but no.

 

[MRT]

The standard is to read a plate at 67’, and you think that’s too difficult? Sorry, but no.

Farmers older than most so probably higher failure rate - half of all contributors on here not fit to drive?

 

[Highland Mule]

Farmers older than most so probably higher failure rate - half of all contributors on here not fit to drive?

I wouldn’t know. I know I’m fit - it’s not difficult to get an eye test, or to have an honest look across the yard at your car.

 

[MRT]

I wouldn’t know. I know I’m fit - it’s not difficult to get an eye test, or to have an honest look across the yard at your car.

No, my point though is that intuitivley Specsavers are wildly out if they say 1/3 aren't fit to drive. I went to Specsavers and their tests apparently said I was just ok but near the limit, so I went to a private optician who did much more in-depth tests on equipment that cost more than a bag of chips and they said my eyesight was very good and above average in general terms. I can read a number plate at twice that range so you may be less fit than you think if you let Specsavers do the testing

 

[Highland Mule]

No, my point though is that intuitivley Specsavers are wildly out if they say 1/3 aren't fit to drive. I went to Specsavers and their tests apparently said I was just ok but near the limit, so I went to a private optician who did much more in-depth tests on equipment that cost more than a bag of chips and they said my eyesight was very good and above average in general terms. I can read a number plate at twice that range so you may be less fit than you think if you let Specsavers do the testing

I am very familiar with the clinical work done by opticians and can assure you that Specsavers are as good as any, and probably have higher quality kit than most independents. To suggest that they as a company are sub-par is well off the mark.

 

[MRT]

I am very familiar with the clinical work done by opticians and can assure you that Specsavers are as good as any, and probably have higher quality kit than most independents. To suggest that they as a company are sub-par is well off the mark.

To suggest I can't read a number plate at 67' is well off the mark too, so something is well out with either their kit or thier procedure

 

[Highland Mule]

To suggest I can't read a number plate at 67' is well off the mark too, so something is well out with either their kit or thier procedure

They are the largest optical company in the UK, but largely franchises. The test is two-fold. 67’ is the simplified version, but there are more complex tests involving fields of view, corrected vision on charts etc.

I don’t know your circumstances, but one optician’s work and the company they were representing that day (many options are login and work for more than one company) does not set the standard for all.

 

[MRT]

They are the largest optical company in the UK, but largely franchises. The test is two-fold. 67’ is the simplified version, but there are more complex tests involving fields of view, corrected vision on charts etc.

I don’t know your circumstances, but one optician’s work and the company they were representing that day (many options are login and work for more than one company) does not set the standard for all.

Fair enough. I'll not be going back in a hurry though!

 

[Highland Mule]

Fair enough. I'll not be going back in a hurry though!

Probably wouldn’t matter - you might find the same person working for VE on a Monday, Speccies Tuesday and at an independent Friday !

 

[MRT]

Probably wouldn’t matter - you might find the same person working for VE on a Monday, Speccies Tuesday and at an independent Friday !

Unless they drive this from workplace to workplace they'll not catch me out at 67' - not yet anyway!

 

[JWL]

Back to the police relying on a GP's report on whether you can hold a FAC or not is wrong in my eyes. Yes, the GP can bring to attention any mental worries but like many of us I haven't seen a doctor for years. Last time I went they had my records but there was only one doctor left out of five that was even around when I last went.
I have allways felt more reassured by having the OK from the visit from the FAO and have felt that he is by far the best qualified to give the Yay or Nay to a continuation or a new licence with their face to face appraisal with the applicant. Most are ex-coppers and generally old school who have a more sceptical judge of character that I would put more trust in than a locum doctor reading some notes made God knows how many years ago.

 

[som farmer]

my other half, works in a high street opticians, they get loads of new business, from disgruntled spec saver customers.
Also, having had an accident, 61 years ago, which effected my sight, and 3 ops on them, i am very careful about sight checks, and, i am not a fan of specsavers, you get a much better test, elsewhere !