Blind driver loses his world record (From Gazette & Herald)

Blind driver loses his world record

BLINDED former North Yorkshire policeman Ken Moss has hit out after a sighted man beat his world land speed record - wearing a blindfold.

Ken, 44, of Scarborough, who lost his sight in an horrific accident on the A64 near Malton while pursuing a stolen car in November 1992, has held the title since 1999 when he clocked 131 mph.

His name appeared in the latest Guinness Book of Records after his solo drive on a military testing site in Wiltshire.

But now, Alistair Weaver, a sighted man, who managed 140 mph while blindfolded at Elvington Airfield near York in April, is to take his place in the next available edition of the famous book.

Ken said: "It's a bit ridiculous. I got the record for myself but also to show that anybody who is disabled, not necessarily just blind, is capable of doing anything that able-bodied people can do, and should not be treated as a second class citizen.

"This sends out a very negative message to all disabled people, telling them they might as well just accept they will be second best. My wife said there are so many records in the Guinness book, why take a record away from a blind person?"

He said he had not driven a car, other than during his speed attempts, since the accident in which he lost his sight, whereas the sighted man had probably driven to the speed testing site and then driven away again afterwards.

Ken said he would have another go at the record - if people were prepared to support him, particularly by providing the use of a car.

A spokeswoman for the Guinness Book of Records said the record was never set aside specifically for blind people. It was always intended as a record for people driving while blindfolded, and this was with the agreement of the Royal National Institute for the Blind.

"All records are open to everybody," she added.

Updated: 13:12 Thursday, June 20, 2002