Henrietta, N.Y. - There were plenty of people standing in line at the Henrietta D.M.V. Tuesday afternoon to get their photos taken for new licenses.
But unless you are a first time driver or renewing a commercial license, you can forget about getting a vision test beginning Wednesday.
Here’s some quick reaction from people after we told them the news.
Gary Angora: Are they out of their mind?
Christopher Markidis: It might be a safety issue.
Todd Strassner: I think you should have to see to drive.
Beginning tomorrow drivers can self-certify by checking a box that says their vision is not impaired. That will make renewal through the mail or online much easier. “Why don’t they just check off a box that says ‘I can drive’," asks Gary Angora. “Then just give them a license- that would make it much easier!”
The sudden move was announced to the public yesterday, the same time that county clerks who run the local branch offices were told. They were not consulted in the decision which takes affect beginning Wednesday.
13WHAM News interviewed 23 people outside the Henrietta D.M.V. on Tuesday afternoon. All of them supported a faster process, but not in this case where they say the new policy comes at the expense of safety.
“You never know who’s going to out there with an eye problem who cannot see and they’re going to hit you,” says Gerda Dobbs. Andy Wozniak agrees. “I think they should do it more often,” he says of the tests. “There should be certain ages where they re-do it like every 10 years.”
Yet the state holds up someone like Andy as an example for change. He’s taken the eye exam just once, as a new driver. That’s because between 1993 and 2000 New York did not require the eye test for anyone renewing a regular license.
The state points out accidents did not increase, in fact traffic safety improved. There’s no way to attribute the safety record to the vision test policy. In the same period lawmakers enacted tougher D-W-I and cell phone laws, and State Police stepped up enforcement of speeding and seatbelt laws.
Some drivers are not convinced. “I believe you need to take an eye test to prove you can see before you’re allowed to drive a vehicle,” says Keith Checho. Brett Hawn adds “I have a grandfather that if we would have let him drive he would and he’s legally blind so that’s not good.”
