Drivers have been urged to ensure their eyesight does not put them at risk of being involved in an accident when out on the roads.

The College of Optometrists has issued a warning to all road users that failing to keep track of any deterioration in their vision could prove extremely costly, placing them at an increased risk of missing hazards up ahead.

Figures published by the organisation show that every year there are upwards of 2,000 accidents in the UK that can be attributed to individuals having poor eyesight and as a result, it is imperative all motorists make having regular eye examinations a priority.

Tim Hunter, a member of the College of Optometrists and a consultant optometrist at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, noted many people will not realise that their eyesight has got worse until it is too late. This is particularly true of motorists aged 40 and over, so it is important for this group to be regularly checked.

Advice on road safety from the college states that anyone who is required to wear glasses or contact lenses to see properly should always do so when getting behind the wheel of a vehicle, while tinted lenses should never be used by anyone driving at night.

Jan Chandaman, acting head of medical licensing policy at DVLA, commented: "Reducing road casualties is a top priority and our licensing rules play an important part in keeping our roads safe.

"All drivers have a responsibility to make sure they are fit to drive every time they get behind the wheel and this includes making sure they meet minimum eyesight standards … All drivers must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres."

Should anyone require contact lenses or glasses to be able to drive safely they must remember to inform the DVLA of their condition, as failure to do so could land them in serious hot water.

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Posted by Clare Lafferty, Account Manager, The Fuelcard People.