This is the shocking moment an elderly driver nearly struck a child on a zebra crossing before having her licence revoked for failing an eye test.
The woman, in her 80s, approaches in her red Ford Fiesta when a youngster on a scooter starts to pedal onto a zebra crossing in Colchester, Essex.
But instead of stopping the pensioner carries on, forcing the frightened youth to quickly jump back, dodging the car by inches.
The woman, in her 80s, was in her red Ford Fiesta when a youngster on a scooter starts to pedal onto a zebra crossing in Colchester, Essex
The pensioner – who has not been named – drove off from the scene but has been traced thanks to the footage, handed in by a worried driver who captured it
Police carried out an eyesight test when they found the woman and realised she could not see properly.
Officer have now revoked the unnamed woman’s licence after they used Cassie’s Law – introduced after the tireless campaigning of a mother whose daughter was killed by a driver with poor eyesight.
‘Cassie’s Law’ was inspired by the campaigning of Ipswich mum Jackie McCord, whose daughter, Cassie, 16, was killed by a driver who could not see properly.
The popular teenager was on her way to college in Colchester in 2011 when 87-year-old Colin Horsfall’s car ploughed into her on the pavement.
Cassie died from severe head injuries the next day and Horsfall died three months later, having never recovered from his injuries.
But instead of stopping the pensioner carries on, forcing the frightened youth to quickly jump back, dodging the car by inches
It later emerged the horror crash happened just three days after the pensioner had driven into trees when he missed the entrance to a petrol station.
Police discovered she could not read a car registration from 20 yards – the legal minimum.
Officers advised him not to drive again after the first crash – while his details were sent to the DVLA – but shockingly they were not able to seize his licence, meaning he was not prevented from killing Cassie.
Thanks to Mrs McCord’s campaign Cassie’s Law was introduced, giving officers the powers to immediately revoke a licence.
PC Rob Andrews from Essex roads policing unit said: ‘Dash cam footage is proving crucial for many road related incidents as the evidence it provides is priceless.
‘In this case, we were able to see exactly what had happened without doubt and took appropriate action.
The pensioner – who has not been named – drove off from the scene but has been traced thanks to the footage, handed in by a worried driver who captured it
‘Having a licence revoked can be devastating for many people as it comes with a loss of independence.
‘Where possible we will do what we can to keep people on the roads. However we have a duty to protect these drivers as well as the thousands of other people who use the roads of Essex.
‘We often receive calls from members of the public concerned about their elderly relatives’ safety behind the wheel and where appropriate, in these cases our officers will have a conversation about their circumstances and discuss the implications their health could have on their driving ability.
‘If you have concerns please contact Essex police using the ‘Do it Online’ web page where you can find a link to report a driving complaint’
Police carried out an eye sight test when they found the woman and realised she could not see properly
Essex Police confirmed they had attended the registered address of the driver given her an eyesight test, which she subsequently failed.
‘Her licence was immediately revoked using powers under Cassie’s law and she is no longer on the road,’ the force said in a statement.
The near miss happened at 4.20pm on November 16 – just yards from where Horsfall had his original crash before the fatal accident which killed Cassie.