A major police operation saw several drivers have their vehicles confiscated for failing to meet roadside eyesight tests, as well as face serious penalties.
The crackdown, by North Wales Police, formed part of Operation Dark Night, a nationwide campaign which saw more than 320 vehicles stopped across both towns.
Officers from the Roads Crime Unit were out in force as part of efforts to improve safety during the darker winter months, with particular attention given to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
Drivers were asked to read a number plate from 20 metres away, the minimum legal eyesight standard required for driving in the UK.
But shockingly, seven individuals failed to meet this standard, with one driver unable to read a plate from just four metres away.
Drivers who failed were immediately taken home by officers and the DVLA has been notified under Cassie’s Law, which allows for the swift revocation of driving licences when a motorist is deemed unfit to drive due to poor eyesight.
Cassie’s Law was introduced in 2013 after 16-year-old Cassie McCord from Colchester was tragically killed by an elderly driver just days after he failed a police eyesight test.
Under the law, drivers who fail the roadside checks can have their licence revoked “on the spot”, receive three penalty points, and face fines of up to £1,000.
Drivers were slapped with hefty fines of as much as £1,000 for breaching road safety rules
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NORTH WALES POLICE
The day‘s operation uncovered a range of offences beyond eyesight failures, with officers reporting several drivers for defective tyres, no tax, no MOT, and driving without insurance.
Five drivers were also found to be driving without a valid licence, while another motorist was arrested after testing positive for cocaine on the roadside.
One driver was pulled over for having front window tints allowing only 25 per cent of light through, marking a serious breach of road regulations.
Officers issued an immediate prohibition notice, but the driver opted to remove the tints on the spot to avoid having their vehicle seized.
The police seized several vehicles after drivers failed their roadside eyesight tests
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NORTH WALES POLICE
Sergeant Leigh McCann of the Roads Crime Unit praised the coordinated effort and warned that similar checks would continue throughout the winter.
“We are pleased to be supporting this national campaign to help continue to ensure that our roads are as safe as possible for all drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and other road users,” he said.
He warned that as the winter months come in, police have warned drivers to make sure that “when you get behind the wheel, you are not putting yourself or others at risk of injury or worse”.
He added that the number of drivers failing eyesight tests was “concerning”, describing one case where a motorist couldn’t read a number plate just four metres away as “quite frankly unbelievable.”
“These roadside tests will continue, including at any traffic-related stops, to ensure everyone’s safety on the roads,” Mr McCann said.
“Over time, vision can decline gradually, and it is recommended by eye experts that all motorists have regular eyesight tests – ideally every two years.”
The sergeant emphasised that North Wales Police would continue to run similar operations in the coming weeks as part of their commitment to reducing serious and fatal collisions.
He added: “We make no apologies in trying to reduce serious and fatal collisions in line with road safety initiatives such as this one.
“If this operation prevented one person from being injured or worse, killed – then we see it as a success.”
Drivers are reminded that they are legally required to meet certain eyesight standards to hold a driving licence.
Those unsure about their vision are urged to book an eye test with an optometrist.