Hundreds of motorists have seen their driving licences revoked after failing a road-side eyesight test under powers introduced in 2013, following the death of 16-year-old, Cassie McCord.

Cassie died from serious head injuries in 2011 when 87-year-old Colin Horsfall lost control of his car and mounted a pavement. He had failed a police eyesight test days earlier, but a legal loophole meant he was allowed to continue to drive.

Under the new law, which is popularly dubbed ‘Cassie’s Law’, police officers can request an urgent revocation of a driver’s licence through the DVLA if they believe other road users are at risk due to a driver's sight. Police forces across the UK have already applied to revoke licences 631 times, and have been successful on 609 occasions.

Melanie Williams, a senior serious injury solicitor based in Thompsons Solicitors’ London office, said: “Drivers with poor eyesight who get behind the wheel are putting other people’s safety at risk every time they do it. The introduction of Cassie’s Law means that police officers have options available to them to hopefully prevent fatalities and serious injuries occurring on our roads.

“If the tragic death of Cassie McCord is to continue to have a positive impact by saving other victims from serious injury or even death, the spectre of cuts hanging over the police must not threaten the funding they need to carry out regular spot checks.”