Drivers across Manchester urged to get an eye test
New report suggests that drivers should have a compulsory eye test every ten years.
There's call for more to be done to tackle the issue of drivers, who refuse to acknowledge they may have eyesight problems. According to the Association of Optometrists (AOP), more than a third of optometrists have seen patients within the last month who continue to drive despite being told their vision is below the legal standard.
Britain has some of the most relaxed vision requirements for drivers in Europe, as there is currently no mandatory eye exam apart from reading a number plate at the beginning of the practical driving test.
This means that a 17-year-old could pass their test and can continue to drive for the rest of their lives without no further checks.
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 of Transport Data shows.
Motorists must tell the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency if they have any problems with their eyesight, however their licence will still continue to be renewed if they do not admit to having difficulties.
A recent poll of 2,007 showed that 30% of road users continue to drive despite doubting their vision is adequate. The survey also found that only 40% would stop driving if they were told their vision was below the legal standard for driving.
Bride-to-be Natalie Wade, 28, suffered fatal injuries when she was knocked down by a car driven by a partially sighted driver who had failed to declare his vision problems to the DVLA.
The accident took place as she was using a pelican crossing while shopping for her wedding dress near her home in Rochford, Essex in February 2006.
The driver, John Thorpe, 78, of Hullbridge, Essex was blind in one eye and had poor sight in the other, and died before he was due to stand trial for causing death by dangerous driving.
Ms Wade’s family have set up a campaign for regular eye tests to be made compulsory for all drivers.
The hairstylist's aunt, Brenda Gutberlet, 63, from Canvey Island, Essex said: We want the law changed so other families don't have to go through what we have. How many more people have to die before our outdated laws on drivers' medical fitness are changed?''
The AOP has now launched a Don’t Swerve A Sight Test campaign urging people to get their sight tested every two years.
Optometrist and AOP board member Dr Julie Anne-Little claimed Britain “falls behind many other countries'' due to its reliance on self-reporting and the initial number plate test.
She said: “Because sight changes can be gradual, often people won't realise that their vision has deteriorated over time.”
“This campaign is about reminding drivers that with a visit to their optometrist they can not only make sure they meet the standard but help make our roads safer.''
Steve Gooding, Director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said: Just as motorists should be routinely monitoring the road worthiness of their vehicles, they should also be regularly checking their own fitness to drive.''
We spoke to drivers across Manchester who agree that they should have sight tests regularly. One driver said: “As a driver myself I would like to be reassured that I can see the roads clearly, if your vision is going you shouldn’t really be driving”
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