Eyewear style spells danger

A warning has been issued by GetLenses that many motorists who need corrective lenses could be sacrificing safety for style. A study carried out by the retailer found that more than half of drivers wear regular sunglasses when driving.

Drivers should be able to clearly read a new style number plate from a distance of 20m or an old style number plate from 20.5m. The legal requirement is that drivers who require prescription lenses or corrective glasses to read the number plates should wear them at all times when behind the wheel.

Alarmingly, the study showed that 53 per cent of drivers wear normal sunglasses to reduce glare while driving, despite needing corrective lenses. Twenty-seven per cent said that they owned sunglasses with prescription lenses.