Poor sighted Brits causing havoc on nation's roads

Thousands of motorists with poor eyesight are endangering Britain's road users by failing to wear their glasses or contact lenses, according to new research by safe driver champion Privilege Insurance.

Over half (55 per cent) of the British driving population currently has a prescription for glasses or contact lenses which they should wear when driving. But the research findings reveal that almost one in five (18 per cent) have driven without wearing their prescription glasses or contact lenses, equating to over 3 million drivers. Most worrying is that almost a fifth of these (17 per cent), over half a million drivers, confess to doing so once every few days.

According to Privilege's research, a significant 3 per cent of all drivers who have an eyesight prescription, representing over 500,000 motorists, have been involved in a driving incident such as drifting out of lane, exceeding the speed limit or even driving on the wrong side of the road while not wearing their glasses or contact lenses.

Poor sighted drivers are not just popping to the local shops without their glasses, it seems. The results reveal that the last time motorists who have driven without their glasses or lenses ventured out without correcting their eyesight, eight in ten (79 per cent) drove at least two miles and one in ten (11 per cent) drove over 50 miles.

Over half (55 per cent) of drivers who have driven without their prescription lenses or glasses admitted that they would fail the driving test regulation of being able to read a car registration plate from 20.5m without their glasses or lenses. Despite the law stating that all drivers must be able to read a number plate from 20.5 metres, a quarter (25 per cent) of all drivers could be breaking the law as they do not have their eyes tested every 1-2 years - the time frame recommended by the Institute of Optometry.

Those unsure if they require an eyesight test can visit www.privilege.com for information on downloading a free eyesight test.

Deacon Harle, chief executive of the Institute of Optometry, said: "Reduced vision can have a significant and probably dangerous effect on driver competence. For those unsure if they require glasses, an eye examination with a qualified optometrist is vital as this can detect any changes in vision or eye diseases before the effects on driving are felt.

"For those that already wear glasses or contact lenses, it is imperative that they are the correct prescription and that they have regular eyesight check ups. The correct optical equipment for driving is essential - and this can include prescription sunglasses, anti- reflection spectacle lenses and contact lenses."

Ian Parker, Managing Director of Privilege Insurance commented on the findings: "Surprisingly our research has uncovered a large number of motorists who haven't recently had an eye test, so may be completely unaware if they require glasses or not. Even more disturbing is the number of people with prescriptions but who forget to put their glasses on before driving, despite admitting they couldn't even read a number plate from 20.5m - the legal requirement. Privilege urges all drivers to have annual eye tests and to always wear glasses or contact lenses when needed, no matter how short their journey."