Police are urging the public not to test their eyesight by going out for a drive.
The chairman of the Police Federation has issued the plea after the prime minister’s top aide Dominic Cummings said he drove 30 miles during the lockdown to check if his eyesight was up to scratch.
John Apter tweeted: "Folks, I say this in all sincerity and as an important road safety issue.
"If you’re feeling unwell and your eyesight may be impaired do not drive your vehicle to test your ability to drive. It’s not a wise move.
He added: "As a former road death investigator with Hampshire police I have investigated many serious collisions, including fatalities.
"Some of these were caused by drivers with impaired vision, this is a serious issue. Do not drive if your eyesight is impaired or you feel unwell."
Mr Cummings used the eyesight excuse during a bombshell 14-minute explanation of why he drove 260 miles to his family's farm in Durham when his wife Mary suffered coronavirus symptoms on March 27.
He said he suffered Covid-19 symptoms the next day.
During the press conference on Monday he admitted he drove from the Durham home to nearby Barnard Castle on Easter Sunday, a half hour drive, on April 12, his wife Mary's 45th birthday.
He claimed it was on day 15 since the illness struck, and was to test his eyesight before going back to London down the A1.
He said his vision had been "a bit weird" so his wife suggested to "drive down the road" to check it.
Mr Cummings said "in a very complicated situation, I behaved reasonably".
People took to social media to poke fun at his eyesight explanation.
One man posted: "Hi @Specsavers, please can I cancel my eye test booked for Wednesday? I instead will be driving to Barnard Castle as I believe this is by far the most effective way to test my vision."
Another tweeted: "can’t wait to go for my next eye test at specsavers and have them put me in a car and tell me to drive to barnard castle"
Stephen Reicher, a scientific advisor to the government, warned people would stop following advice because "government is looking after themselves in a way they’re not looking after us".
Prof Reicher added: “If adherence falls, the infection will rise and people will die.”
Mr Cummings has been reported to police over the trip, which came at the same time people were advised only to leave their house to walk, cycle or run if they were exercising.
This morning a Government minister resigned over the decision by Boris Johnson to back his most senior aide in Downing Street.
