Forums Forums Local News Eye patch ordeal for tumour sufferer

A YOUNG cancer sufferer was stopped by police on her way to work – for driving with one eye.

Rachel Corkhill lost her left eye when she was just 11 years old, after a cancerous tumour was removed from behind her eye socket.

Ever since, the 24-year-old has been forced to wear an eye-patch, but has not allowed the situation to stop her living a normal life.

But she was left “mortified” and “humiliated” when she was stopped by police in Birkenhead yesterday morning, and told to step out of her Ford Ka.

When Rachel, who lives in Wallasey, asked the police officer why she had been stopped, the officer said: “Because you’re wearing an eye patch”.

Rachel said: “I told her I had cancer when I was 11 and had my eye removed and had worn an eye patch ever since.

“She just said, ‘I’m still within my rights to stop you.’”

Rachel was giving her friend, Paul O’Connor, a lift to work.

He said: “They put her in the back of the police car, and I said ‘It’s discrimination, you’ve got to have a reason to stop her’.

“And she said it’s because she’s only got one eye.”

Rachel was given a stop notice by the officer, and left feeling “humiliated”.

There was no suggestion from police that Rachel was speeding, and all her tax and insurance is up to date.

And the DVLA says it has no problem with drivers who only have one working eye.

A DVLA spokesperson said: “Monocular vision is acceptable for cars and motorcycles, as long as it has existed sufficiently long enough to allow for adaptation, and the sight in the remaining eye satisfies all standards of visual fitness.”

Rachel said she has taken a special driving test, and had previously informed the DVLA of her circumstances.

She said she was left “absolutely mortified” by the incident, which occurred at just past 9am on Patterson Street in Birkenhead.

Rachel, who has a one-year-old son, Ben, added: “As if I don’t get enough stick about it as it is, without the police stopping you.”

But Merseyside Police declined to apologise, and said the decision was made to stop Rachel because of fears for her own safety.

A police spokesperson said: “The police officer stopped the driver as she appeared to have a large dressing covering her eye.

“Officers must consider the safety of all road users and in this case wanted to ensure the person was fit to drive, and not causing a danger to herself or others.”

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/live...ferer-rachel-corkhill-100252-25056042/2/

My mum drives and has been blind in one eye since she was a child. She is 92 next year ! She is a damned good driver too.
It amazes me how she does it. Just for a test I have (when totally safe) tried driving with one eye closed - NO WAY unless I creep around at say 15mph. I once had to drive home from work (M53 job) with one I defective ie one lens fell out of my specs. My sight is difficult without specs but I am not blind.

Snod

My cousin lost an eye when he was 3 years old because of a bow and arrow accident. Now in his 40s he passed his driving test not long ago. He has always had a false eye, the problem the police officers had is that you don't see many people wearing eye patches and it would be extremely dangerous for someone to drive with the temporary loss of sight in one eye. As the report says it is perfectly acceptable to drive with one eye when that person has had time to adjust. How could the police officers know, that this person had lost an eye or she was someone using the patch temporary unless they stopped her. Sounds like someones trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill.

I agree with Bert, no news here. And, the police can stop anyone they want, they don't need a reason.

Ive been pulled for looking too young to be driving the car im driving. The bizzy was in shock when I produced all the documents in my name lol - even moreso when he saw how little I pay for the insurance haha. But im not going to cry discrimination lol, even though the plod practically admitted that was the only reason I was pulled.

The plod can pull you for whatever reason they feel nessescary, and this should not stop.

its not that we dont need a reason...we DO have the power under the road traffic act to stop any vehicle for the purposes of checking insurance etc...and the identity of the driver.
We have the power to detain the driver until the officer is satisifed with the identity of the driver and that no offences have been committed...