A TOTAL of 63 drivers have had their driving licences revoked so far this year after they failed eyesight tests at the roadside.

The immediate revocations were requested by police from the DVLA after the drivers failed simple eyesight tests at a distance of 20 metres and were believed to present a severe risk to others.

The fast-track procedure, known as Cassie’s Law, was introduced by the DVLA in 2013 and gave police the power to request a driver’s licence be revoked immediately where it was felt they were unfit to drive.

Cassie’s Law was introduced following a campaign following the death of Colchester Sixth Form College student Cassie McCord.

Cassie, who was 16, was killed by Colin Horsfall as she stood on the pavement in Head Street, Colchester.

Three days earlier police officers had spent two hours trying to persuade Mr Horsfall, who was 87, to give up his driving licence after he failed an eye test after crashing into the exit of the petrol station at Tesco in Highwoods.

He refused and the officers had no powers to suspend his licence.

Following a campaign by Cassie’s mother, Jackie, and the Gazette, which included a 46,000 name petition, the Government agreed to change the law to allow the police requests to be fast-tracked through the DVLA.

So far this year Essex Police officers have also visited 226 drivers involved in collisions where eye sight issues may have been deemed to be a contributory factor.

As a result, 26 drivers failed an eyesight test and either had their licence revoked or agreed to surrender it.

In 2015, a total of 49 drivers had their licences revoked as a result of Essex police officers making fast-track applications to the DVLA.

Adam Pipe, casualty reduction manager at Essex Police, said: “Since the fast-track procedure was introduced we have continued to use the powers successfully and develop our work around educating drivers to ensure they are fit and healthy to drive.

“This work centres not just around poor eye sight, which can affect anyone whatever their age, but also the early stages of dementia which affects quality of driving.

“We often receive calls from members of the public concerned about their elderly relatives’ safety behind the wheel and in these cases our officers will have a conversation about their circumstances and discuss the implications their health could have on their driving ability.

“Having their licence revoked can be devastating for many people as it comes with a loss of independence. However, we have a duty to protect these drivers as well as the thousands of other people who use the roads of Essex.”

Anyone concerned about a friend or relative’s ability to drive safely as a result of eyesight or health concerns, can contact the casualty reduction unit by calling 101 or emailing driving.complaints@essex.pnn.police.uk.