Drivers risk safety by shunning tests

OLDHAM’S roads are being made more dangerous due to the poor eyesight and hearing of a high number of motorists.

Research conducted at Oldham Carnival by Specsavers Opticians and Hearing Centre showed that more than two thirds of motorists fail to meet the minimum vision standards for safe driving.

More than 70 participants were given a long distance vision screen test, a three-minute hearing test and asked a series of questions regarding their attitudes to sight and hearing difficulties.

More than half of the women who visited the Specsavers Drivesafe trailer admitted they hadn’t had an eye test in over two years, despite 87 per cent agreeing that an eye test should be a compulsory requirement when renewing your driving licence.

Catherine Wray, manager at Specsavers’ Curzon Street store, says: “We were shocked to find that more than half of all the people we met over the weekend hadn’t had an eye test within the last two years.

“It’s vital that your eyes are tested at least every other year as recommended by the Royal National Institute for the Blind — particularly when you consider the huge risk for those who drive as well as other road users.

“One driver we met hadn’t had their eyes tested in more than 30 years.

“We hope that the appearance of the Drivesafe trailer at the carnival, as well as the advice we distributed to Oldham’s drivers, has helped increase awareness of how important regular eye examinations are for road safety.”

Only one in eight people who visited the trailer passed the hearing test and those who failed were advised to go for a full check-up to assess the severity of the problem.

Neil Hackett, Specsavers’ hearing centre director, was pleased to see so many people coming forward for hearing tests.

He said: “Hearing is an area most people tend to forget about. We hope to have raised awareness among residents that their ears are just as important as their eyes and are something they need to keep a regular check on.

“Three minutes is all it takes to detect if a potential problem needs to be investigated further.”