A week of news - driving force needed

It was encouraging to see a visual acuity standard of 6/12 become part of the DVLA's medical requirement this week.

However, the dinosaur that is the number plate test remains at the forefront of British driving safety unfortunately.

It also remains unclear how the 6/12 measure will be policed – compulsory test, computer programme, lie detector?

In all likelihood the new standard will become part and parcel of the advice optometrists should offer their patients, even if they do take off with the prescription and head somewhere else.

Nevertheless, the Snellen standard beats the current scenario where fog or a dirty number plate can be instrumental in the passing or failing of a test.

It reminds me of the acid test for concussion playing sport, based on how many fingers your team mate is holding up. The difference is that a footballer missing the odd shot is far less dangerous than a driver the odd traffic light.

Joe Ayling, news editor.