Drivers with poor eyesight are on the increase!

8 November 2018

Drivers with poor sight on the increase, optometrists fear amid calls for roll out of police test

Drivers with poor eyesight are on the increase, optometrists have warned amid calls for a wider roll out of police roadside eye tests.

The Association of Optometrists (AoP) have found that almost half (44 per cent) of its eye doctors have seen a patient in the last month who drives despite being told their vision is below the legal standard.

Last year, the figures stood significantly lower at a third.

It follows a crackdown by police in September aimed at catching some of the thousands of drivers who get behind the wheel each day despite having defective eyesight.

Under the pilot scheme, drivers who were unable to read a number plate clearly from a 20 metre distance had their licences revoked on the spot by police in Thames Valley, Hampshire and the West Midlands. 

It was being supported by road safety charity Brake who are now calling for mandatory eye tests for drivers and a tougher focus on the problem from the government.

Joshua Harris, director of campaigns at Brake, said: “These figures are extremely concerning and add to the clamour for the Government to change our inadequate driver vision laws. 

“Alongside Vision Express, Brake has been working with police forces to help raise awareness of the importance of good driver vision, ensuring that drivers know if they can’t pass the 20m number plate test, their license can be revoked. 

“However, awareness alone isn’t enough and the Government must take the lead to improve our driver licensing laws and implement mandatory eye tests for drivers.”

The new research by the AoP has prompted them to renew calls for motorists to undergo eye tests every ten years. They warn that current laws concerning vision requirements for drivers were insufficient, suggesting our laws are more relaxed than most of Europe.

Under current rules, a learner driver must be able to read a car’s number plate from 20 metres away during the the practical part of their driving test.

Optometrist and AOP spokesperson Henry Leonard said: “It is shocking that so many drivers are overlooking the importance of good vision. Sight change can often be gradual, and people may not notice changes that could affect their ability to drive.

“This campaign is about reminding drivers that regular visits to their optometrist are the best way to make sure they meet the legal standard for driving and help make our roads safer.”

Seven people were killed and 63 were seriously injured in accidents on Britain's roads last year when "uncorrected, defective eyesight" was a contributory factor, Department for Transport data shows.

In total, an estimated 2,900 injuries on our roads each year are caused by drivers with poor vision, according to the Road Safety Authority figures.

see the link: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/11/07/drivers-poor-sight-increase-optometrists-fear-amid-calls-roll/

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