As the Government announces changes to eyesight regulations for motorists, GEM Motoring Assist reminds drivers of the responsibility for ensuring their eyesight is up to standard.
In place from 8th March, Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond announced that new minimum medical standards will apply to bus and lorry driving licence holders. The new regulations include a more relaxed visual acuity standard for the ‘weaker eye’, when each eye is separately examined.
With World Glaucoma Week also running from 10th March to increase awareness of eye disease, road safety organisation and breakdown cover company GEM Motoring Assist is prompting drivers about the importance of monitoring and maintaining their own eyesight.
David Williams MBE, CEO of GEM Motoring Assist, comments, “Looking at things from a road safety perspective, poor vision is a significant factor and, for drivers both young and old, regular eyesight tests are extremely important. By DVLA regulation, photocard driving licences must be renewed every 10 years and this should also act as a reminder for motorists to get their eyes checked against the required standards.”
“Frequent, professional eyesight tests would also help detect problems, such as glaucoma, at a much earlier stage. Even with changes to medical standards for licence holders, it is still up to the driver to take care of their eyesight.”
World Glaucoma Week aims to increase awareness of the group of eye diseases known as ‘glaucoma’ that progressively deteriorate, and often eventually eradicate, a person’s eyesight. Often going undetected, glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the world.
For more details on World Glaucoma Week please visit www.wgweek.net.
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