Eye tests for motorcyclists over 55?
One of the high priority actions being considered by state governments to drive road ‘safety' performance over the next decade – but is it a step too far?All motorcycle riders over the age of 55 will have to pass a compulsory annual eye test if they want to continue riding on public roads – that’s just one of the bombshells the Bikesales Network has discovered in a classified 'safety' document doing the rounds of Australia state governments and territories.
Concerned about a high mortality rate among motorcyclists in the 45-60 year age bracket, the document proposes that an annual eye test is one way of reversing the trend – among a raft of other measures being considered like full medicals every five years.
The Bikesales Network contacted the Federal Safety Bureau, which is a co-sponsor of the document, for comment, but all spokeswoman Susan Cornea said was that “...we are under obligation to consider all measures to make our roads safer and more harmonious, and nothing is ever off the table. But whether some proposals actually see the light of day is another thing altogether.”
But we pressed further, and asked Ms Cornea why motorcycle riders were apparently being singled out for eye tests, as opposed to other road users?
“From the evidence that we have obtained, most riders are happy to go riding with scratched or tinted visors, so it’s imperative that eyesight for all motorcycle riders is 20/20. And we are firm on that view.
“Our evidence has shown that the rate of eyesight degradation accelerates exponentially rapidly after the age of 50, so this measure has the potential to save countless lives. Up to 67.3 lives can potentially be saved every year, and that figure will rise as the population ages," added Ms Cornea.
Dr. Seamus Reteena from the Optometrists Guild of Australia explained that eye tests were non-invasive and relatively quick. He also hinted that the some state governments would subsidise the costs of the tests by dropping speed limits, resulting in increased speed camera revenue. However Reteena suggested that research on deteriorating vision is blurry at best.
"The supposition that people over the age of 55 suffer from poor eyesight is not entirely true. Certainly in some third world countries, where diet is traditionally poor due to a low intake of leafy greens and legumes, eyesight deterioration is prevalent. However in Australia, the issue is not as profound," explained Dr Reteena.
A ministerial-level meeting will be held in Canberra this afternoon to discuss the safety document.
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