‘Slow down and hope for the best’ – survey reveals worrying driving statistics

Drivers in North Devon fear they’d fail their driving test if they took it today, according to a survey by Specsavers.

The mark Road Safety Week, the poll by the optician chain found 12% of respondents thought they fail a driving test now, with poor eyesight, bad habits and nerves potentially to blame.

The survey found that nearly 39% of drivers in the region fear they’d be marked down for their inability to parallel park, while 11% admit they’re now confused by new road signs and driving laws.

When struggling to see properly behind the wheel, 45% of drivers in the South West have simply slowed down and hoped for the best, while 27% have avoided driving at night altogether.

Only 14% of drivers in the region describe their understanding of the UK’s eyesight rules for motorists as ‘excellent’ and 12% of those without perfect vision believe their years of driving experience ‘compensate for not being able to see clearly’.

Emily Waters, a director at Specsavers Barnstaple, said: “There are some places you should never be if you’re worried about your eyesight, and behind the wheel is one of them, especially at this time of year when we’re often driving in wet and dark conditions, because we have to be so careful. And not only when it comes to other vehicles – pedestrians, cyclists and even pets can dart in front of our cars in the blink of an eye.”

Examples motorists gave for things they struggled to see while driving included potholes or changes to the road surface at 26%, while 18% admitted they had failed to spot cyclists in low light or blinds spots, while 13% said they had difficulty making out lane markings.

A worrying 15% said they struggled to see anything at all when it’s raining.

However, half of those surveyed believed eyesight checks should be a mandatory part of renewing a UK driving licence. A further 32% did not think poor vision is treated seriously enough as a road safety issue and 13% said they have worried about someone else’s eyesight while being driven by them.

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Of the 57% of motorists in the region who are supposed to wear glasses or contact lenses while driving, 23% admitted to going without them. The most common reasons were forgetting them (40%), only travelling a short distance (40%), or finding them uncomfortable (15%).

Emily added: “If you do need prescription glasses or contacts to drive, you should always wear them regardless of the journey.

“It’s been reported that most traffic accidents happen close to the person’s home, as that’s naturally where they do the most driving. So even if you’re only going half a mile up the road, you should do all you can to keep yourself and others safe.”

For guidance on driving safety and vision care solutions, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/glasses/driving-glasses