Current ARDS Colour vision rules

[shutter_speed]

Hi all,

Booked in for my ARDS test, need to do my vision test as part of it. I am early 30s so don't think I need the full medical. I have read conflicting things on colour sight requirements... I do have red/green colour blindness and will not pass an Ishihara test, but I do not have any issue day to day and have no problem identifying the colours of flags or lights. Does anyone know, in 2021, if I'm likely to have an issue?

Thanks!

[Kraken]

With all these things it's best to go straight to the horses mouth and ask MSUK.

[Chunkychucky]

shutter_speed said:

Hi all,

Booked in for my ARDS test, need to do my vision test as part of it. I am early 30s so don't think I need the full medical. I have read conflicting things on colour sight requirements... I do have red/green colour blindness and will not pass an Ishihara test, but I do not have any issue day to day and have no problem identifying the colours of flags or lights. Does anyone know, in 2021, if I'm likely to have an issue?

Thanks!

Good choice of sight deficiency, I also have red/green deficient sight and fail the Ishihara plate test.

When I had a medical done for an ARDS test, this was picked up on and noted, however bore little to 0 relevance to the practical side of things.

This was back in 2008/2009 from memory, but the doctor stamped the MSA medical forms and all was well. There may have been a quick practical check at the circuit before sitting the ARDS test, whereby an official asked me to delineate between a red/green light from a distance (ie. gantry lights).

I too was concerned by this aspect before obtaining my licence, however in my experience it was a bit of a non-event, so fingers crossed you should be fine!

[shutter_speed]

Thank you! I have asked MSUK but no response yet and slightly concerned they may go for a risk adverse 'computer says no' answer rather than a pragmatic approach based on my ability to see lights and flags that, perhaps, some centres/doctors/opticians may be more willing to take.

It seems the rules changed in 2018 or so and that may be what causes me a problem. I'll see what they come back with and update this thread for those who come looking in the future.

[df76]

shutter_speed said:

Thank you! I have asked MSUK but no response yet and slightly concerned they may go for a risk adverse 'computer says no' answer rather than a pragmatic approach based on my ability to see lights and flags that, perhaps, some centres/doctors/opticians may be more willing to take.

It seems the rules changed in 2018 or so and that may be what causes me a problem. I'll see what they come back with and update this thread for those who come looking in the future.

In my experience, the MSUK licence team are excellent. I have a slightly complicated medical history and they gave me all of the advice needed. They want people to compete, so will flex wherever possible.

[Dollyman1850]

It strikes me that the Flags and lights can be very easily adjusted to render the colour vision rules largely irrelevant.. It could be construed as Disability discrimination if anyone ever wanted to challenge the issue and with 7% of males having red / green colour blindness I am surprised it hasn't been challenged before now..

The Issue generally is Red / Green determination so consider the following..

Yellows can be seen and are either held or waved ( flashing lights) No issue to see..
Red Flag is a static flag or a static light ( not waved )
Green just needs to be waved or given a flashing light..

So.. if you see a fixed light or static flag you think might be green....you know it is red
If you see a Flashing light or waved flag you think might be Red then you know it is green
Yellow.. you can see... But in the rare instances you cannot.. then just default to 2 flags..
Blue you can see...

Simple.. No money needs to be spent and no one needs to pass a discriminatory colour vision test...!!

If you did want to spend a little money.. then just display the lights on a triple stack like a normal road traffic light...Then you know red at top, Yellow in Middle and green at Bottom

QED.

Neil.

Edited by Dollyman1850 on Saturday 4th September 18:48

Edited by Dollyman1850 on Saturday 4th September 18:50

[grumpy52]

Dollyman1850 said:

It strikes me that the Flags and lights can be very easily adjusted to render the colour vision rules largely irrelevant.. It could be construed as Disability discrimination if anyone ever wanted to challenge the issue and with 7% of males having red / green colour blindness I am surprised it hasn't been challenged before now..

The Issue generally is Red / Green determination so consider the following..

Yellows can be seen and are either held or waved ( flashing lights) No issue to see..
Red Flag is a static flag or a static light ( not waved )
Green just needs to be waved or given a flashing light..

So.. if you see a fixed light or static flag you think might be green....you know it is red
If you see a Flashing light or waved flag you think might be Red then you know it is green
Yellow.. you can see... But in the rare instances you cannot.. then just default to 2 flags..
Blue you can see...

Simple.. No money needs to be spent and no one needs to pass a discriminatory colour vision test...!!

If you did want to spend a little money.. then just display the lights on a triple stack like a normal road traffic light...Then you know red at top, Yellow in Middle and green at Bottom

QED.

Neil.

Edited by Dollyman1850 on Saturday 4th September 18:48

Edited by Dollyman1850 on Saturday 4th September 18:50

Your thinking is way off . Red and Green flags can be both waved and stationary .
They tend to be waved to signify urgency or if the traffic is moving quickly . They go down to stationary flags when things calm down .

[Dollyman1850]

grumpy52 said:

Your thinking is way off . Red and Green flags can be both waved and stationary .
They tend to be waved to signify urgency or if the traffic is moving quickly . They go down to stationary flags when things calm down .

Red flag only displayed along with a fixed red Light. Not Waved.
Greens can be waived or stationary, As can Blue, yellows either 1 or 2 waved and the slippery surface flag can be stationary or Waved.
Suggest you read the MSUK regs and look for any mention of a waived red flag.. News to me!

[Kraken]

Dollyman1850 said:

Red flag only displayed along with a fixed red Light. Not Waved.
Greens can be waived or stationary, As can Blue, yellows either 1 or 2 waved and the slippery surface flag can be stationary or Waved.
Suggest you read the MSUK regs and look for any mention of a waived red flag.. News to me!

I can think of many things that don't happen the way they say in the regs. I've seen red flags furiously waved many times trying to attract the attention of drivers blasting past other cars totally oblivious to why they have slowed down. I'd much rather see a marshal do that personally than do nothing and let the accident they can see coming unfold with no attempt to stop it.

[Dollyman1850]

Kraken said:

I can think of many things that don't happen the way they say in the regs. I've seen red flags furiously waved many times trying to attract the attention of drivers blasting past other cars totally oblivious to why they have slowed down. I'd much rather see a marshal do that personally than do nothing and let the accident they can see coming unfold with no attempt to stop it.

Clearly not seen from the drivers seat !