Comment: Driving lessons

With an air of melancholic resignation Optician reports once again on the parlous state of visual correction among the nation’s drivers. Optician welcomes the campaign by the road safety group, Brake (see news), calling on drivers to ensure their vision is up to legal standards. It has campaigned tirelessly on the issue of road safety and has been supported by optical retailers, the profession and Optician.

The issue of drivers’ vision is one Optician has supported with extensive coverage including a definitive series of articles which took a root and branch approach to the whole topic. The latest campaign comes on the back of research by insurer RSA and Specsavers. Its survey of 1,000 drivers highlighted problems with the frequency of eye tests and the use of specs and contact lenses by those who require them. This is not new. The multiples, insurance firms and the police have expended large amounts of time, effort and money bringing drivers’ vision to prominence. Sadly, even when victories are won the ability to enforce the law (news 15.03.13) has been brought into question.