POLICE have been keeping an eye out for drivers with poor vision as a scheme is due to be rolled out in Wrexham and Flintshire.

Officers from North Wales Police’ Roads Policing Unit carried out eyesight checks on Tuesday, April 9, to highlight the importance of good vision.

The checks were carried out in Llandudno and Menai Bridge, but are now due to be rolled out force-wide including in both Wrexham and Flintshire.

A total of 680 vehicles have already been stopped and four drivers received immediate driving licence revocations after being referred to the DVLA.

Acting Sergeant Mark Jones, who led the day operation, said: “In North Wales there is a steady increase in the number of drivers, in particular older drivers, being involved in collisions. These collisions usually happen at junctions with one of the common themes being defective eyesight.

“All drivers have a responsibility to make sure they are fit to drive every time they get behind the wheel and this includes making sure they meet minimum eyesight standards.”

He added: “Our aim through these operations is to raise public awareness about the importance of good eyesight when driving.”

As part of the initiative, motorists were asked to stop and read the registration plate of a vehicle parked 20.5 metres away – which is the legal standard set by the DVLA.

Officers now use hand-held devices to report offending drivers and a quick email response from the DVLA means a licence can be revoked on the same day somebody is caught.

Police previously had to write or fax a request for licence removal, which would take a number of days.

The changes, which came into effect in February, follow a campaign to highlight the issue after 16-year-old Cassie McCord, from Colchester, Essex, was killed by an 87-year-old driver in 2011.

He had refused to surrender his licence despite failing an on-the-spot eye sight test three days earlier.

A/Sgt Mark Jones added: “Overall the public response was very positive and in support of our operation and we will carry out further operations in the future.”

Further information is available via the gov.uk website www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules.