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Regular eyesight tests could cut hundreds of road traffic accidents (RTAs), says new report.

Millions of UK drivers continue to break the law, putting themselves and others at risk because their eyesight is below the safe minimum standard, says the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

Regular eye tests for drivers may be a lifesaver, as 1 in 10 would actually fail a driving test (if they re-took it today) because of poor eyesight. Officially drivers should be able to read a number plate from 20.5 metres (67 feet) or 25 metres (82 feet), - about the length of two standard buses.

In addition, everyday thousands of motorists, who know they should wear glasses, drive without them, either because of vanity, they've forgotten them or because they are only driving a short distance. More than 50% of the UK population wear glasses or contact lenses and this statistic rises dramatically to 80% once we hit age 45.

Foolish

The average cost of a sight test is £15 and the average price of a pair of glasses is £105. However, these costs could be proving a deterrent according to independent research commissioned by HSA (20% of people are deterred from seeking simple healthcare checks including visits to the optician).

"We started this campaign last year when it became clear that something as simple as an eye test could have such a significant impact on road safety," says Des Benjamin, who was involved in the report. "At this time of the year, driving conditions are particularly difficult with shorter, darker days, fog, rain, sleet, snow and salted roads. Not being able to see properly is just plain foolish.''

The report gives six simple suggestions for drivers:

1. Get your eyesight checked regularly.
2. Wear your glasses or contact lenses on every journey, no matter how short.
3. Keep clean your windscreens, inside and out, and car lights.
4. Check your screen washers work, the washer bottle is full (with an anti freezing additive) and the windscreen wipers are in good condition and work effectively.
5. When possible, if you wear glasses, keep a spare pair in the car.
6. Check that you can you still read a number plate at 20.5 metres.

"It is not only very dangerous to drive if you cannot see properly but you are also breaking the law. The IAM strongly recommends that all drivers get their eyes checked regularly," concludes IAM chief examiner Bryan Lunn.

For further information visit the Institute of Advanced Motorists website.

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