MOTOR VEHICLES (DRIVING LICENCES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2013

That this House notes the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I., 2013, No. 258) laid in the House on 13 February 2013, which will retain the current number plate test as the main assessment of driver vision; further notes with concern that this measure does not go far enough in ensuring drivers have adequate vision; refers to recent research commissioned by RSA Insurance Group and supported by the Optical Confederation and Brake, which finds that road crashes caused by poor driver vision result in nearly 2,900 casualties and cost the UK an estimated £33 million a year; urges the Government to use the transposition of Directive 2009/113/EC to introduce a requirement for drivers to have a professional assessment of vision when applying for a first licence and all subsequent renewals to improve road safety; further notes it is estimated this would provide net savings to the UK economy within just one year; and calls for a full debate on the Floor of the House.