Former Hampshire police fatal crash investigator warns people not to test eyesight by going for a drive

Hampshire police officer John Apter, national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, was formerly a fatal crash investigator for for the county force, and has seen a number of fatal road accidents during his career.

But after the prime minister’s senior aide, Dominic Cummings, claimed he went for a ‘short drive’ to test his eyesight after falling ill with coronavirus symptoms, Mr Apter has advised against doing anything of that kind.

He said: ‘If you're feeling unwell and your eyesight may be impaired do not drive your vehicle to test your ability to drive. It's not a wise move.

‘As a former road death investigator with Hampshire police I have investigated many serious collisions, including fatalities – some of these were caused by drivers with impaired vision, this is a serious issue.

‘Do not drive if your eyesight is impaired or you feel unwell.’

Dominic Cummings’ told reporters that his eyesight had deteriorated after driving from London to County Durham with his wife and child, following fears over childcare.

The short drive in question was from the family home in Durham to Barnard Castle on April 12 – which was also his wife’s birthday.

In a press briefing on Monday, prime minister Boris Johnson said his eyesight had also suffered after he contracted coronavirus.

‘I'm finding that I have to wear spectacles for the first time in years,’ he said.

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