On 20 November Stephen
Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, joined RSA Insurance
Group in Parliament to support their ‘Fit to Drive’ road safety and eye health
drop-in event.
Along with road safety
charity ‘Brake’ and the Optical Confederation, the event saw MPs from all
political parties tested to see whether they meet the UK’s minimum eye health
standards.
Research shows that poor
vision results in nearly 3,000 casualties in the UK each year. In addition to
injury and loss of life, road crashes are costly for individuals, their
families and the wider economy. The total cost of crashes due to poor driver
vision is estimated to be £33m a year.
RSA and the Optical
Confederation have published a new report, Healthy Eyes, Safer Roads,
which shows how regular eye testing can keep all road users safer and sets out
recommendations for policymakers to ensure more tests take place. Drivers who
fall below the minimum standards are 15 per cent more likely to crash their
vehicle – although in many cases they are unaware of their poor or
deteriorating eye health.
During the event Stephen
Metcalfe MP found out more about how this issue affects South Basildon and East
Thurrock and had his eyes tested by a qualified optometrist. Mr Metcalfe also
signed the Fit to Drive pledge – committing to having their eyes checked every
two years, wearing glasses or lenses to drive if they need them and encouraging
others to do the same.
The local MP said:
“Drivers should take their responsibilities for their own and other people’s
safety extremely seriously. An important part of this is making sure their
eyesight meets the standards required and they wear their glasses or lenses
every time they drive if they need them.”
“Thousands of crashes
happen every year because of poor vision, at great cost to those involved and
to the economy as a whole. I’m glad to say that I’m fit to drive but it’s vital
everyone gets their eyes tested regularly to make sure they are safe too.”
Adrian Brown, CEO of RSA
UK & Western Europe, added: "Regular testing helps maintain good
eyesight and that means fewer crashes and safer roads. It's good to see local
MPs getting this message out to their constituents and our ‘Fit to Drive’
campaign report sets out ways policymakers can make sure more eye tests
happen.”
“We also want existing EU
rules on driver eyesight to be properly implemented in the UK. We're currently
lagging behind many other countries and that means our roads aren't as safe as
they could be."
