I think I have just failed the field vision test, (yesterday) and the revoking of my licence is iminent. This test is just awful. I don't know about anyone else, but I never drive with my head pressed against the windscreen, only looking ahead, whilst trying to look behind me at the same time. I'm sure I'm like everyone and drive whilst scanning the road in all directions (eh, normal). It would appear that the DVLA require you to have the all-round vision of an owl.
I wear glasses for driving, and have no problems with that. But it would appear that unless I can see something out of my ear, then I am a danger. A mate of mine, who has near perfect eyesight, says his field of vision isn't that great, and yet he has no test, nothing. Because he's not diabetic, and therefore doesn't have to declare any eyesight problems. Your eyes don't get progressively worse, just because of diabetes alone.
Another two mates of mine, have problems with their eyesight, and by their own admission, know that they would fail an eye test. Yet they are driving around with no investigation, or penalty, because........they're not diabetic, and don't have to declare it.
I know that because of my impairment neccessating the wearing of glasses, I am extra careful when driving. I certainly don't consider myself to be any greater a threat than these guy's. Infact I may be less of a danger, as my eyes are checked more regularly than theirs. Which wouldn't be difficult as they rarely have them checked. One of them actually has glasses for driving, that he got ages back, but doesn't wear them. This makes me so angry.
I know everyone's different, and I'm not trying to be childish by saying, 'I know someone who.....
like a small child telling tales. But the guy's driving who can't see properly think it's hilarious, and don't give a monkey's about it. They know they're putting themselves, and others, in danger.
Also the fact that I can't drive with an impairment in both eyes, which are adjusted by wearing glasses, but someone with one eye can, is an insult. Where's there field of vision? Ok the criteria might be that they have to have perfect FOV, and sight in one eye, but they don't have ANY in the other eye AT ALL, The fact they have NOTHING in that other eye, doesn't matter. It's a joke. They're going to HAVE to look around. Whereas myself, and countless others who can see out of two eyes, are tested by having your head pressed against a box with flashing lights in it, and be expected to see directly behind you at the same time. So I am more dangerous with a slight loss of my field of vision in both eyes, tham someone who can't see out of one eye at all. Come on DVLA!! Think about how stupid that makes diabetics feel. I'm sure people with one eye aren't tested by someone standing on their blindside saying, 'Can you see me? eh? eh?
Anyway, if another vehicle comes at you from the side, there ain't alot you can do about it. Even if you had a compound eye, a collision is unavoidable. I have never seen anyone able to avoid a side impact. Why? Because even with perfect FOV, our reflexes aren't fast enough. It's nothing to do with what you see, or don't see. It's the speed at which it all happens. I'm sure 'It just came out of nowhere' is a very familiar statement heard by insurance companies the world over. I'm not angry because my licence will be revoked, it's because the system favours some groups, and not others.
I think it would probably be shocking, but not unbelievable, to find out the exact amount of people who shouldn't be driving, because their eyesight is not good. I bet you it's in the millions. Hundreds of thousands, at the very least.
But as someone who relies on their car for work, and getting around,(I have a bk amp,and can't walk any great distance) And every week I take my 91 year old grandmother for her groceries and her pension, who I also call in on every day, the effect will de devastating. It will all stop. I will lose work, and more importantly the last piece of independence I have left will now be taken away. Life is a struggle as it is, but will be dramatically worse now. I know I've said that I am waiting on the DVLA getting back to me, but there is no doubt in my mind what the outcome will be. Not because I think, my vision is that bad, it's just that the DVLA expect you to look directly into the eyes of the passenger sitting directly behind you, without use of the rear view mirror, whilst driving. Absolute nonsense!! I have now resigned myself to being a prisoner in my own home, and never seeing anyone anymore. Not that I really see anybody, as I lost alot of my friends when my marriage broke down. I don't have anyone significant in my life, and live alone. People always go on about how there is someone out there for everyone. But I've had first hand experience of discrimination. Contrary to popular belief, most people don't want people who are incomplete.
Sorry, went a bit off-topic there. Anyway, without being over-dramatic, I consider my life to be over, and have no interest in myself, or anything about myself. I'm not depressed. I've done the counselling thing, to no avail. I am just genuinely fed-up with my pointless life, that's all. I don't do self-pity, I am just stating a fact.
Far too many things to go on about here, but the almost definite loss of my driving licence, just puts the tin lid on it.
Apologies for my post turning into something else.
