Millions of motorists across the UK are taking a huge risk on the road as they are not respecting the road by failing to adhere to eyesight rules, claims new research. There are around 37 million cars on the roads in the UK and four million are driving illegally but not wearing the correct eyewear, which is required by law, found new research from ASDA Opticians. Earlier this year ‘roadside eye tests’ have been introduced in various regions across the UK but this is still not deterring all motorists. The research found that three in five of those surveyed (60 per cent) admit that they struggle to see properly when driving in general, with this figure rising to four in five (83 per cent) when looking at younger drivers aged 25-34 years.
A quarter of motorists (24 per cent) admit they have trouble reading road signs and a third (29 per cent) knowing that their lack of correct eyewear causes them to struggle when driving.
You could be prosecuted if you drive without meeting the standards of vision for driving. Driving without the correct eyewear can also invalidate your car insurance.
It can also land you a punishment for dangerous driving or driving without due car or attention which carries a fine of up to £5,000.
Former Top Gear ‘Stig’, Ben Collins, says “Vision is a driver’s greatest asset because driving safely is about avoiding trouble and you can’t manage what you can’t see.
“Your eyeballs are the most advanced piece of technology riding with you in the car and the easiest to maintain with a check-up every other year.”
Shockingly, 15 per cent of UK drivers have had a ‘near-miss’ as a result of not being able to see properly and 12 per cent of drivers have been in an accident caused by their eyesight, including almost half (48 per cent) of 25-34 year-olds.
Drivers are recommended to visit an optician every two years, one in 10 (nine per cent) motorists go longer than this period when it comes to getting their eyes tested.
Optician Shailesh Varsani says “We conducted the research to find out how seriously motorists are taking their vision and it’s worrying that many aren’t getting their eyes tested as often as they should be.
“It’s easy and cost-effective for people to get their eyes tested nowadays and people need to remember that an eye test isn’t just to check people eyesight.
“As well as detecting other vision problems they can also reveal whether you’re suffering from a number of serious health conditions including diabetes and brain tumours”.
Most Brits are most likely to be prompted to book an eye test when they receive a letter from their optician (64 per cent), or when they feel that their eyesight has worsened (33 per cent).
Many of the motorists surveyed blame adverse weather conditions, such as fog, heavy rain or glare from the sun (52%), when either having an accident or a near miss.
Top blames for near accidents
1. Adverse weather conditions (fog, rain, sun) (52 per cent)
2. Driving at night (50 per cent)
3. Bring tired (39 per cent)
4. Not wearing the correct prescribed eyewear (29 per cent)
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