7 replies to this topic

[shed]

been looking into contact lenses again as im sick of wearing glasses (or cant be bothered to wear when i probably should) and came across this

Research by Specsavers Opticians and NOP has found that as many as 3.5m people could be driving with eyesight below the legal minimum.

The study found that 22% of British drivers who need glasses or contact lenses have knowingly driven without them, putting themselves and others at risk. And it is mostly younger drivers who are guilty. 35% of 17-24 year olds do not always drive with their eyewear compared to about 20% of 45-54 year olds.

Further research conducted this year by Specsavers found that 92% of drivers are in favour of compulsory eye examinations for drivers every five years, particularly for the over 40s.

Of 2,000 people surveyed, 53% were also in favour of random roadside testing of drivers’ eyesight. The survey also revealed that:

1 in 3 drivers may not have had an eye test in the last two years.
80% of those surveyed believe that drivers over 40 years old should have their vision re-tested regularly.
65% thought that carrying a spare pair of corrective glasses should be required by law.
57% of drivers requiring corrective eyewear did not carry a spare pair of glasses with them when driving.

interesting stuff

[midridge2]

And it is mostly younger drivers who are guilty. 35% of 17-24 year olds do not always drive with their eyewear compared to about 20% of 45-54 year olds.
80% of those surveyed believe that drivers over 40 years old should have their vision re-tested regularly.

thats interesting, more young drivers dont wear their glasses but 80% think older drivers should have their eyes tested regular.

i think it needs more than a eye chart test, i had to take a drivers eye test after informing dvla of my vision troubles, i pass the eye chart test and the drivers field test but have night blindness and tunnel vision, its that bad i am regested visually impared and i have sent my licence to dvla to cancell as i cannot drive but dvla say i can because i pass the tests.
i also use a white stick when walking, i use to get some funny looks when i did drive and got out the car and used a white stick when i parked up.

[maryquant]

I want prescription windscreens... with auto-tinting

Not sure if it would work, but dont see why not, I can adjust the viewfinder on my camera to suit my prescription.

[AVV IT]

I don't wear glasses for anything and don't need them! In fact I haven't had an eye sight test since 1998. (Quite why you lot are banging on about eye sight tests for driving on a cookery forum/website any way, is beyond me?? )

[ibrooks]

I wear glasses all the time but can easily pass the driver requirements without them.

Prescription windscreens - one of Billy Connolly's best!

Iain

Edited by ibrooks, 02 November 2011 - 01:48 PM.

[MiniLuke]

Get contact lenses. www.aclens.com

[mini93]

i wear glasses when i drive... i used to also wear them when in uni for things like lecture theaters... my left eye has very little perscription and my right not a whole lot more but my eyes seem to focus more on dirt on the screen so the glasses not really helping me just make it more comfortable. I drive customers car at work regualy without any kinda problem. I just leave my glasses in my own car throw them on when i get in. If im using the bosses car for longer trips than local errands ill throw the glasses on anyway.

Oddly enough i probably wouldnt have them if i didnt fail my rally drivers medicle on my sight, i never even considered it before but when it came to do a sight test my right eye i thought was just blury from holding it shut... alas i then needed the glasses.

[BlueBell]

I need to wear contact lenses to find the hand in front of my face, so its pretty much mandatory for driving. However I find it really difficult to night drive with contact lens and have to swap to my glasses, no Idea why but I'm sure there is a scientific reason (or I'm just odd)