As a chain of responsible car dealerships, we would like to highlight that Thursday 11th October 2018 is World Sight Day, the annual day of awareness for blindness and vision impairment.
Eyesight and driving have been a recent topic in the news and discussions on how vision impairment can cause serious incidents has been massively talked about. Police officers are now planning new roadside eye tests in order to crack down on motorists whose vision is not good enough to drive by legal standards. This means drivers in Hampshire; Thames Valley and the West Midlands will be asked to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres (65ft) and those who fail will have their driving licence immediately revoked.
As a driver, you know that your eyesight is tested at the beginning of your practical driving exam, but some people don’t realise that it then becomes your responsibility to inform the DVLA if you develop sight issues. The DVLA made a public plea in July for drivers to have their eyes tested following concerns that motorists may not be aware that their eyesight isn’t up to legal standard.
In 2011, 5,285 drivers and motorcyclists had their licences revoked because they could not pass a standard eye test which is an increase of 8% since 2010.
[1]The failure to be able to clearly see hazards and assess situations is extremely dangerous when on the road which is why stricter efforts are being placed on drivers.
The theme of this World Sight Day is Eye Care Everywhere in attempts to encourage universal eye health and the importance of taking care of your eyes. World Sight Day is coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, who aim to educate target audiences about blindness prevention and raise public awareness of blindness and vision impairment as major international public health issues.
World Sight Day is here to bring awareness to visual impairment and so we are taking this day to encourage drivers to have their eyes tested, especially if they haven’t for a while. Check your nearest opticians and have your eyes tested or if you have noticed a change in your eyesight, inform the DVLA. Together we can create safer roads to drive on.