Millions of motorists are driving around with poor eyesight, according to a survey.
As many as 23% of those not wearing glasses admit their vision is less than perfect, the poll by LV= car insurance found.
And 7% of drivers who should wear glasses for driving do not always put them on when they get behind the wheel, the poll revealed.
Some of those who admit sight difficulties say they have trouble seeing at night and others struggle in bad weather.
Yet a third of them have not had their eyes tested in the last five years and 13% have either had a test more than 10 years ago or never had one.
In a test of 256 randomly-selected drivers, LV= car insurance found 9% were unable to make out a number plate just over 20 metres away on their first attempt. This figure rose to 18% of drivers aged 55 or over.
Of those who should wear glasses for driving but do not, 57% said they simply forget to put them on and 32% think it unnecessary.
A total of 2,490 UK drivers were surveyed.
LV= car insurance managing director John O'Roarke said: "The number plate test is a compulsory requirement of the driving test for a very good reason. However, this is no substitute for regular eye examinations as eyesight can change significantly over time.
John O’Roarke, LV car insurance managing director, said: “The number plate test is a compulsory requirement of the driving test for a very good reason. However, this is no substitute for regular eye examinations as eyesight can change significantly over time.
“Driving with poor eyesight is a criminal offence and can result in a fine, penalty points or even a ban, as well as invalidating your car insurance when it comes to making a claim.”
New EU legislation, set to be introduced in 2011, will require holders of private licences to have their eyes tested every 10 to 15 years, with holders of commercial licences having to do it every five years.
Source : Press Association
Monday 6 September 2010
Parents 'Need A Refresher Lesson Before Teaching Kids To Drive'
Parents giving their children driving lessons should brush up on their own skills beforehand, according to What Car? Driving School.
The company said in a statement many adults are choosing to give their teenagers lessons rather than pay for a professional as a result of the recession, but the majority of parents' driving knowledge is out of date.
Paul Atkinson, managing director of What Car? Driving School, noted 45 per cent of motorists in the UK would be likely to fail the current driving test if they took it today.
"It is all too clear that these drivers need a refresher driving lesson or two to ensure they do not pass on their bad habits to their teenagers," he commented.
The organisation listed approaching junctions too quickly and rushing observation procedures among the typical bad practices of parents.
A recent study by Gocompare.com found a third of mothers and fathers do not know the correct laws on child car seats
Source : Mary Treen - www.trl.co.uk
The company said in a statement many adults are choosing to give their teenagers lessons rather than pay for a professional as a result of the recession, but the majority of parents' driving knowledge is out of date.
Paul Atkinson, managing director of What Car? Driving School, noted 45 per cent of motorists in the UK would be likely to fail the current driving test if they took it today.
"It is all too clear that these drivers need a refresher driving lesson or two to ensure they do not pass on their bad habits to their teenagers," he commented.
The organisation listed approaching junctions too quickly and rushing observation procedures among the typical bad practices of parents.
A recent study by Gocompare.com found a third of mothers and fathers do not know the correct laws on child car seats
Source : Mary Treen - www.trl.co.uk
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