SHARE

Eye Exam Policy Has Mt Pleasant Drivers Concerned

MOUNT PLEASANT, N.Y. – A new system which does not require New York drivers to take an eye exam to renew their license has Mount Pleasant residents concerned.

"I think it's ridiculous," said Bob Stockert, of Hawthorne. "For safety concerns, there's already a lot of people out on the roads that shouldn't be,"

Drivers in New York no longer have to retake eye exams when renewing their licenses due to a new Internet application announced by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. The "MyDMV" application was said to help shorten waiting times and increase customer service throughout the state.

"These changes will make it easier for New Yorkers to use the Internet or mail to renew their driver license and conduct a number of other transactions," DMV Commissioner Barbara J. Fiala said.With the new system, drivers can self-certify that they meet vision requirements the same way they do with other medical issues as of Wednesday. The self-certification of vision requirements only applies to drivers renewing a license every eight years and excludes commercial drivers, who will still undergo medical and vision tests twice a year.

Toni Viafore, a Yonkers resident who works in Thornwood, said she believes people will not be so honest when certifying.

"You don't want to take the road without being able to see but I have doubts about people being honest in certifying themselves," Viafore said.

Viafore wears contact lenses and prescription eye glasses. She said that she planned to kill two birds with one stone and use the driver's test as a check up on her eyes.

Stockert said he believes this new policy will keep drivers on the road that shouldn't be.

"I think a lot of people stopped driving because they couldn't pass the eye exam and weren't able to renew their license," Stockert said. "Now that's eliminated."

to follow Daily Voice Mount Pleasant and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE