Member Article

North West drivers urged to get on track with regular eye tests this summer

Vision Express calls for essential check to safeguard roads as research reveals half of all Brits are choosing to holiday in the UK this year.

New driver research from Vision Express reveals in the North West: • 50% are choosing to have their main holiday in the UK this year, compared with 42% last year; • On average, drivers will be travelling for almost three hours to their UK holiday destination with three people in the vehicle, including one child; • 29% are overdue an eye test, with 6% admitting to never having had one; • 28% of drivers are staycationing in the North West this year, followed by Wales (26%) and the South West (23%); • Drivers are more likely to prepare for a long journey by stocking their vehicles with drinks and snacks and making sure they have lots of music rather than checking their eyesight is fit to drive; • Over half (58%) of drivers don’t know what the legal eyesight requirement for driving is.

Vision Express is urging motorists in the North West to ensure their sight is road-worthy - as new research by the national optical retailer reveals there will be increased pressure on the nation’s roads, with 50% of all Brits choosing to have their main holiday in the UK in 2017.

In partnership with Brake, as part of the road safety charity’s ‘Driving for Zero’ initiative, Vision Express will encourage drivers to put having an eye test on their checklist of holiday essentials.

In the North West, new driver research commissioned by the national optical retailer, reveals 29% of drivers are overdue an eye test. Worse still, 6% of them have never had one.

And, when it comes to planning a long journey, drivers from the region are more likely to spend time stocking their vehicles with drinks and snacks (34%) and making sure they have music for their journey (13%), than checking their vision is road-worthy by having a recent eye test (4%).

Three quarters of drivers in the North West are, however, prioritising having enough fuel before driving to their UK holiday destination, followed by making sure tyres are checked (67%).

The research also reveals 28% of local drivers are remaining in their own region for their staycations, followed by Wales (26%) and the South West (23%). On average, they will be driving for almost three hours to reach their holiday destination with three people in the vehicle, including one child.

Jonathan Lawson, Vision Express CEO explains: “We passionately believe it is critical to educate drivers about sight, particularly when we anticipate so many more people to be on the roads this summer.

“Our research shows that over half (58%) of drivers in the North West don’t know what the legal eyesight requirement for driving is and almost a third (29%) of them are overdue a vision test. That’s why our latest initiative, part of our award-winning ‘Eye Tests Save Lives’ campaign, includes a free downloadable eye test offer, that can be reedemed in any of our 390 stores.”

Since 2012, the DVLA has revoked or refused 42,519 car and motorcycle and 6,739 bus and lorry licenses because of poor vision. The number of UK drivers whose vision has prevented them from driving has also increased - rising 30% between 2012 and 2016. Around 50% of sight loss is preventable and a regular eye tests can not only safeguard your sight, but your driving licence too.

Jason Wakeford, spokesman for Brake, concludes: “Shockingly, on average five people are killed on UK roads each day, in largely preventable crashes. We hope by combining our efforts with Vision Express’ we can make drivers consider their vision and general health before getting behind the wheel this summer.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Vision Express .