Don’t Swerve a Sight Test Campaign
Whitby & Co opticians support a new campaign from Association of Optometrists, which calls for regular eye tests for drivers to become compulsory. Don’t Swerve a Sight Test highlights the dangers of driving with poor vision, which causes an estimated 2900 road casualties every year.
Self-reporting is ineffective
Current driving eyesight rules stipulate that the driver must read a number plate from 20 metres away as part of their driving test. The driver is then not subject to any further sight tests in order to drive and should report any eyesight problems to the DVLA themselves. These rules are felt to be inadequate by many optometrists, a survey from the AOP revealed that 1 in 3 had seen a patient in the past month with vision below the driving standard. An estimated 1.8 million people in the UK have vision below the minimum standard. The tragic case of Poppy Arabella Clarke earlier this year demonstrates the ineffectiveness of the current regulations. The driver who killed the 3-year-old girl was told by two optometrists that his poor eyesight made him unfit to drive and yet his licence was not revoked, causing the death of a child in the following weeks. Such cases would be avoidable if the law were to change.
Importance of regular sight tests
Eyesight can deteriorate slowly, which is why it is important to keep track of your vision on a regular basis. Did you know that 30% of drivers are concerned about their vision but still continue to drive? By having an eye test every two years, you are looking after your eyes and protecting yourself and others on the road.
Eye tests at Whitby & Co
Whitby & Co opticians offer expert eye tests by highly qualified optometrists.
For more information call 0207 353 4455 , email info@whitbyonline.com or make an online booking here.