An elderly motorist whose eyesight was so bad he couldn't read a number plate from 10 feet away killed a cyclist by smashing into him in broad daylight because he couldn't see him, a court heard. 'Reckless and foolish' Peter Gardner, 82, had such poor vision he 'shouldn't have been driving' when he 'catapulted' helpless James Tassell six feet into the air.
'Loving' grandfather Mr Tassell, 70, was out cycling on a country road at 10am on a clear summer day when the pensioner's silver Vauxhall Vectra ploughed into the back of him. In order to pass a driving test, motorists must be able to read a number plate 20 metres (65ft) away - but an eyesight test after the smash showed Gardner could only read a plate three metres (9ft 10ins) away.
A court also heard the retired rail worker had recently been told by an optician he may be developing cataracts - but failed to arrange a follow-up appointment. Now, Gardner has been jailed for six months as Mr Tassell's devastated family slammed him as 'arrogant' and 'foolish' for 'choosing to drive with terrible eyesight'.
