New powers against shortsighted motorists

Motorists with poor eyesight will be put off the road within hours under new powers to be given to British police, following a petition signed by 45,000 people after an 87-year-old man killed a 16-year-old girl.

Police had applied to have Colin Horsfall’s licence removed after he failed a roadside eye-test, following refusal to voluntarily surrender it.

Three days later, he killed Cassie McCord when he swerved onto a pavement.

Now, however, the forced withdrawal procedure, which has often taken four days or more to complete, has been accelerated.

Under the changes, police will email a cancellation request to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

The Swansea-based agency will, said the department of transport, also respond by email, rather than by post, giving the officers powers to deliver a withdrawal notice to a driver who has refused to stop driving within just a few hours.

Motorists are given road-side tests if their driving is causing concern and if it is not explained by suspicions of alcohol or drug abuse.

Under the rules a driver must be able to read a number-plate from 20m away.

The Automobile Association gave the changea cautious welcome: “The police are occasionally confronted with these situations and it is sometimes tragic that they are powerless to take tough action on the spot.

“However, this new power must be applied with the utmost care,” said Paul Watters.