This report comprises the advice of the Eyesight Working Group to the European Driving Licence Committee for a possible revision of the standards on vision for driving. On many issues, scientific evidence is scarce, so that continued research remains very important in order to strengthen the basis for the standards. The major recommendations are the following. 1. Visual acuity requirements should be formulated binocularly. For the worst eye of Group 2 drivers, only a minimal standard of visual acuity is required. 2. The paragraph on visual fields should be reformulated to include requirements on the vertical extension, absence of central defects and use of the test method. 3. Requirements for twilight vision should be considered, future introduction of these and other requirements should be made possible and anticipated. 4. Requirements for the absence of diplopia should be formulated, to include Group 1 drivers. 5. An adaptation period should be required after a newly developed eye disease. 6. Restricted licences should be considered for Group 1 drivers. The conditions for such restricted licences should be carefully judged. 7. Regarding periodic screening: current evidence for the efficacy and efficiency of screening is rather scarce. We recommend additional research to be performed in this field. If, due to desired harmonization of European standards, screening should be implemented, we recommend screening (at least for Group 1) should not commence before the age of 60. People with eye diseases / impaired visual functions should be required to verify themselves whether they meet the standards. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting