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One in 10 drivers has had an accident or a near miss because they weren't wearing their glasses while driving, a new survey commissioned by Specsavers has revealed.

The survey also showed that 26 per cent of drivers have not had their vision checked since they passed their test and of those half believe they would fail an eye examination.

Helen Haughton from road safety charity Brake said: 'They show that a significant number of drivers are worryingly unsafe. Being perceptive and alert as a driver, especially on congested roads, is crucial.' She urged all drivers to regularly test their eyes 'to ensure that they're not putting themselves or anyone else at risk'.

Of the 2,000 participants questioned, the majority were in favour of compulsory eye examinations for drivers. Fifty-three per cent believe this should take place every two years, 30 per cent believe testing should occur every five years and 6 per cent feel compulsory testing is unnecessary. Nine out of 10 drivers claim they would have a regular eye examination if it reduced their insurance premiums.

When asked why they did not have regular eye tests, 13 per cent answered that it was because they didn't have the time, 21 per cent said they couldn't afford it and 18 per cent claimed they couldn't be bothered.

The poll followed the recent announcement that all new EU licences should include a driver's eye care prescription.

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