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Raining_again

Could you stand by your morals in the face of reality?

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I thought this could be an interesting debate - I've been thinking about this a lot lately due to my recent circumstances

 

I've suffered from double vision for years, due to extensive squint problems. Only recently have I had to see medical professionals about it as it was never really a nusiance, nowadays its pretty much 24/7 and causing my eyes to tire and migraines to occur.

 

I saw a specialist locally - who mostly sees babies - and he wasn't really able to give a specific answer, so I was referred to a specialist in Belfast. He has basically told me that there's nothing he can do surgically, and legally I'm not allowed to drive. Despite the fact I learned to drive, past my test, and haven't had an accident in nearly 2 years WITH said symptoms. I'm being referred to get an opaque contact lense... which should stop the problem, but will probably be detrimental to the sight in the eye it will be blocking.

 

If I tell the DVLNI they WILL forfeit my licence.

 

Do I be honest and sacrifice my licence, and probably my gym membership (because how the bloody hell will I get there) :( or lie and hope i never get caught out?

 

I've always been honest about everything but this will just... ruin my life :angry:

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I have morals but I have no problem sacrificing them if needs be.

 

Then again, that logic only extends to choices that are pretty much limited to me.

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If you haven't had an accident and confident in your ability to drive, if it were me I wouldn't tell them.

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I've always been honest about everything but this will just... ruin my life :angry:

 

Be honest, but only when someone asks. If you believe you can drive safely, do so. If you do crash, own up, but for different reason (ie looking at your phone). They probably wouldn't look further into the matter.

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I'm with everyone else. Lying by omission doesn't count. ;)

 

Kill a hobo and take their eyes.

Speaking of morals... :heh:

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I say keep on driving, if you feel like you can continue. Like The fish said, if you crash, give some other reason.

 

But remember, if you do ever get found out... You should be prepared to take responsibility. Don't ever forget the risks you are taking.

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the irony of it all is that if I had one eye i'd be perfectly sound to drive... what a gip! My eyes are ever so slightly out of synch and causes two images to display in my brain hence double vision. So both eyes singly are fine.

 

someone stab my eye quick!

 

I'm getting these opaque contact lenses soon hopefully, and therefore won't have double vision. Legally speaking I should be okay. I suppose I could wear a patch (PIRATE) but if I cover my left eye I'd have to get a rearview mirror adaption. There are options just not ones that I can facilitate right now... for now i'm sticking to driving only when I have to and just keep my fingers crossed

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Morals wouldn't be my worry, it'd be the possible repercussions. What would happen if you got caught?

 

but if I cover my left eye I'd have to get a rearview mirror adaption.

 

How come? Surely you'd just have to turn your head more so your right eye is the one in view and adjust the angle of the mirror accordingly?

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the irony of it all is that if I had one eye i'd be perfectly sound to drive... what a gip!

 

Just wear an eye patch then.

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Morals wouldn't be my worry, it'd be the possible repercussions. What would happen if you got caught?

 

How come? Surely you'd just have to turn your head more so your right eye is the one in view and adjust the angle of the mirror accordingly?

 

can't see past my glasses haha

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If your double vision is now pretty much 24/7 as you say, do not drive. It's not worth the risk!

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You have to remember as well, nothing may have happened yet but it only takes one incident to hurt you or possibly someone else

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I'm sorry but if the DVLA say you aren't safe to drive then you shouldn't do it. God forbid you do have an accident then your insurance won't cover it and you'll very likely cause damage to yourself and someone else.

 

Nothing against you, I'd say this to everyone, I don't want you on our roads if you're a danger to myself.

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If you crash you can make up another excuse as to why? People are being dumb. What if that crash ends up injuring, or killing someone. I doubt the lying would be worth it then.

 

But like you say, if you feel completely and 100% confident that it is in NO way detrimental to your driving, then fine. But the fact you created the thread in the first place, kind of implies you aren't sure. Actually no. The rules are there for a reason. I doubt a gym membership is worth accidentally harming someone else.

 

(This sounds so much harsher than it was meant too.)

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If your double vision is now pretty much 24/7 as you say, do not drive. It's not worth the risk!
You have to remember as well, nothing may have happened yet but it only takes one incident to hurt you or possibly someone else

 

It's been 24/7 for 2/3 years, and I've had it for my entire life. I'm not a dangerous driver, I can see things pretty clearly, it's just extreme details I can't really make out. I can see people, I can see signs, cars, roads, & pavements.

 

It's not double vision as most people imagine, its more like.... shadows. Like when your terrestrial TV isn't quite tuned correctly and you see the main picture perfectly, but with a semi transparent "shadow".

 

To make this clear: If I thought for any second that I was a danger on the road there is no question that I would stop driving.

 

I just don't get how the dvlni can just decide i'm not fit to drive based on very loose criteron, and basically give me no support for alternative means of transport if my licence was invalidated..

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The thing you need to look at is that if you are involved in a crash, how much trouble would you be in (even if the crash wasn't to do with your eyes they'll probably find out)? Is it worth the risk (or would they just revoke your license)?

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You haven't had any accidents so far, which is great. However, these things happen and they can't be foreseen.

 

There are a lot of problems or problematic situations you could find yourself in if you did have an accident, though. You'd get a lot of grief. Nobody is doubting your driving ability, but there is now more to it than just that.

 

You also couldn't plead ignorance because you've seen a specialist and have been told you're not allowed to drive legally. My advice would be to see another specialist or get some advice from them to see what can be done, to see if this truely is the case or if there is something than can be done to help you.

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My attitude is "stick to the rules". I don't mean to sound callous, but personal loss or gain shouldn't be part of the decision-making. If you're meant to inform the DVNLI about these things, then you should. Then it's in their hands. Whether they stop you driving or not, you'll have a clear conscience.

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The big problem is that anything did happen, regardless of whether it was related to this or not you'd be totally screwed. You'd effectively be driving without a license or insurance. God forbid if something did happen you'd be looking at, at best, a hefty fine - possibly more.

 

I'm sure your not actually any danger at all on the road, you'd know far better than any of us and say you're ok so I'm fine with that part. I just think for yourself and what could possibly happen to you it's not worth the risk you're taking.

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I saw two of the best squint eye surgeons in n.ireland... I'm not likely to get a better answer. Once I get fitted with this contact lens it won't be an issue - even if they don't work there is a permanent solution (known as an opaque IOL) which will blind my eye permanently. My eyes aren't very squinty or very double visioned, so operating will be more likely to make it worse - as well as the fact theres less to work with given I've had surgeries before.

 

I am considering getting eye patches for the time being because that will basically "cure" it. Closing my eye does the same but its hard to close one eye for a long time :heh: I just don't feel like I have the option of surrendering my licence, I don't live in the middle of a city where busses go every 10 minutes.

 

I know where you all are all coming from completely, I probably would have been dubious had someone told me they were going to do the same.

 

On the other hand, I passed my driving test in this condition, the only reason its come to light so late is cause of the ridiculous wait i've had between waiting lists and people messing me around with surgery records ::shrug:

 

I was so unbelievably proud of myself when I passed my test, I felt like I was doing something with my life and getting loads of independance, now it's all very likely to go to pot :( If I have to end up surrendering my licence my ma will have to take me to work... a 25 year old still getting lifts into work with mammy... sickening... Just another shitty episode in my shitty life

 

and another thing - I haven't the ability to walk any significant length because of my arthritis... Even walking to and from bus stops will considerably deteriorate my well being

Edited by Raining_again

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The moral aspect of it is the least important part, I'd say. The law isn't perfect, and it certainly sounds like it's flawed in this particular case. Regarding your driving skills, I fully trust that you're able to drive as well as you claim. It seems like it's just a technical detail that makes it illegal for you to drive, not a genuine evaluation of your skills as a driver. The biggest issue as I see it is the potential legal repercussions for you if something comes up.

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Reality and Society continuously erode my morals these days, so I'd probably take my chances. I don't think it'll be too long before I kill a guy.

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