Rochdale drivers blind to road safety

One in six motorists in Rochdale would fail their driving test due to poor eyesight, a study has found.

More than a third, including three quarters of those with poor vision - have not had their eyes tested within the past two years, the research by Specsavers in Rochdale revealed.

Staff from the Yorkshire Street store challenged motorists to read a standard number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres, as required in a driving test.

The study found that as many as one in six had vision so poor that they were unable to read the plate clearly, with women three times more likely to fail than men.

The survey also found that more than a third of the drivers (36%) who voluntarily took part in the survey had not had a recent eye examination in the last two years, as recommended by doctors.

Nigel Williams, store director from Specsavers in Rochdale, said: “The results of our research are terrifying.

“Regular eye examinations every two years are an essential part of making Britain’s roads safer for both motorists and pedestrians.

“Almost 3,000 people a year die on Britain’s roads and we believe this could be reduced significantly simply by ensuring all motorists had their vision checked at least once every two years.

“Equally importantly, regular eye tests can also pick up sign of underlying health conditions from diabetes to glaucoma.”

Karen Delaney, communications manager at DriveSafe, Greater Manchester’s Casualty Reduction Partnership, said: “Driving with poor eyesight can make motoring unsafe for all road users and risks are significantly higher when drivers don’t wear the correct eyewear.

“It is a criminal offence to fail to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of any eyesight conditions that could cause a driver to be a source of danger to other road users - if you fail to meet the visual standards and don’t wear the correct prescribed eyewear, you are breaking the law every time you start your engine.

“DriveSafe takes all traffic-related offences seriously which is why we’re keen to support such an important campaign. We’re urging drivers to have regular eye tests and act on opticians’ advice, as this will ultimately prevent hazardous driving.”

To find out more information about Specsavers and driving, visit: www.specsavers.co.uk/eye-health/driving-and-the-law

To book an appointment at the Rochdale store visit:  www.specsavers.co.uk/rochdale