Testing time for drivers

Has the optical profession inadvertently found itself a powerful new ally? News that our bureaucratic friends in Brussels want to impose eye examinations every 10 years on car drivers over the age of 45 have surfaced once again.
The plan (see News) is based on the shock discovery that peopleÕs vision begins to deteriorate around the age of 45. And when this story broke, which of the optical organisations was there banging the drum for optics? None, actually Ð the body promoting the move was a motoring organisation.
The car business it appears has better links in Europe than optics. The professionÕs new ally turned out to be none other than the Automobile Association. It is backing the proposals on the basis that it is more embarrassing to crash your car than wear spectacles.
Indeed, the AAÕs own research shows that 11 per cent of drivers who have spectacles do not wear them while driving and that 86 per cent of drivers would back compulsory testing Ð so long as motoring does not have to pay for eye tests. While the AA feels £45,000 is a fair price for a Toyota Land Cruiser, £18 for an eye examination is just going too far.
The car lobby has shown its power by forcing the Government into U-turns on road building and fuel prices, so the prospect of free eye tests for all over-45s will certainly get the accountantsÕ blood pumping.
As harmonisation continues, other European legislation may be adopted such as Spanish rules which require all drivers to have a spare pair of spectacles in their car. This would get the optical cash registers ringing but could sorely test the new-found optical credentials of the AA.