More than 600 drivers have had their licences revoked after failing roadside eye tests under new police powers introduced after the death of an Essex teenager.
Cassie McCord, 16, died in 2011 from serious head injuries received in a collision when 87-year old Colin Horsfall lost control of his car in Colchester and mounted the kerb she was walking on.
It later emerged that he had failed a police eyesight test mere days earlier, though at the time authorities had no power to immediately suspend his licence, allowing him to continue driving.
Cassie’s mother, Jackie Rason, campaigned for a change in the law which led to the introduction of new powers, known as Cassie’s Law, which allow police and the DVLA to revoke licences more quickly.
Freedom of Information Act data showed that, since the powers were introduced in 2013, police applied for 631 licences to be revoked after failed attempts to read licence plates, with 609 approved.
Under the new procedure, if police feel the safety of other road users will be put at risk if the driver remains on the road, they can request an urgent and immediate revocation through the DVLA.
As a result, any motorist who continues to take their vehicle out on the road after having their licence revoked will be committing a criminal offence, potentially leading to their arrest.
Along with having their licences immediately nullified, drivers can also have it revoked within 48 hours or via the post depending on how severe police believe the situation to be.
Sue Harrison, Essex Police's Assistant Chief Constable, said: “I very much welcome this new procedure. It is a positive step forward and will enable our officers to immediately refer serious cases to the DVLA.”
Cassie’s mother said she now hopes to continue campaigning for mandatory eye tests for all drivers, along with extra checks for drivers aged 70 and over.
She said: “If your car is more than three years old, you have to have an MOT to certify it's roadworthy. Why shouldn't that be the same for drivers?”
