One Show highlights ministerial blind spot

The inadequacy of the number plate test as a means to test drivers' vision was highlighted by the BBC's One Show last week (June 14).

The show carried out number plate tests on a cross-section of the public, who passed at both distances of 20m and 17.5m. However, one interviewee, Mark Hope, who struggles to pass the test at 20m but can pass it at 17.5m, said he wanted tougher tests brought in. He pointed out that the number plate test was not standardised, as he could pass on some days and failed on others. Of the easier test, he said: 'You're not going to get the fine detail of the result which will tell you whether or not you should be driving.'