The Best Guide for the Sudbury Area

Eye Road Safety

Author: Joanna Williams

Published: 31st October 2019 09:22

Road safety

Eye Road Safety

Every 20 minutes, someone is killed or seriously injured on a British road but each of these tragedies is preventable.

Did you know that almost 3000 road casualties each year are caused by poor driver vision but that over 1.5 million licence holders have never had an eye test? Furthermore 1 in 5 drivers haven't had a vision check since passing their driving test. Even those who do have eye exams can be at fault as 52% of drivers admit to not always wearing their prescribed vision correction. 19% of drivers put off visiting an optician when noticing problems with their vision and 67% of drivers needing glasses or contact lenses have had an accident in the past two years.

These are shocking statistics but easily remedied. Make sure you do not become one of these statistics by ensuring you have regular eye examinations at least every 2 years. Also, make sure you heed the advice of your optometrist. If you are told you need to wear glasses or contact lenses for driving then do so. If you are told you need to update your glasses because your prescription has changed sufficiently then do so. If you are told you do not meet the legal criteria for driving then do not drive. Do not become the cause of one of the 3000 road casualties.

There are groups lobbying the government to change the legislation around driving and eye examinations. Don't wait for this legislation - make sure you have regular eye examinations so you do not pose a threat to other road users. You are not just putting yourself at risk but everyone else too. How many times have I heard someone say "I have to drive where I live". Not true. If you cannot see well enough to drive, you must not drive.

Eye examinations are funded by the NHS for the over 60s and for those on certain benefits and vouchers are provided towards the cost of glasses for those on low incomes so there is no excuse for not having regular eye examinations and wearing the correct glasses.

 https://observatory.co.uk/sudbury/

 

 

 

 

 

 

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