Wiltshire Police highlight importance of good vision in latest road safety campaign

Wiltshire Police are reminding drivers across the county to make sure their vision is up to standard as part of an ongoing campaign to reduce collisions caused by poor eyesight called "Is Your Eyesight Roadworthy?"

Over the past two weeks, officers from the Roads Policing Unit have been carrying out roadside eyesight checks, helping to identify drivers whose vision may fall below the legal requirement.If a driver is unable to read a number plate from 20 metres away in daylight, they are referred to the DVLA for further assessment and any appropriate action.

Officers may request a test if they suspect a driver has defective vision - for example, following incidents of careless or dangerous driving, collisions, or failure to obey traffic signs.It is estimated that up to 10% of drivers on UK roads (more than three million people) do not meet the required eyesight standards.Sergeant James Barrett from the Roads Policing Unit said:

“Good vision is essential for driving because it allows us to see, react and avoid emerging hazards. In fact, almost all the information our brain uses to make good driving decisions comes from visual detection.

“Often, it’s the gradual deterioration of eyesight that affects drivers the most and many don’t realise their vision has fallen below the legal limit, or they adjust their driving habits by avoiding driving at night.

“As we get older, our sight naturally declines and many of us need glasses. It becomes a real concern when this goes uncorrected.“By highlighting the importance of good vision and the role it plays in keeping everyone safe, we hope to encourage more people to get their eyesight checked regularly.

”Before getting behind the wheel, Wiltshire Police are encouraging everyone to ask themselves: Is your vision roadworthy?The importance of good vision and road safety was also a key theme during the recent Wiltshire Police Scout Challenge Badge held at Devizes Police Headquarters on October 12, where young people from across Wiltshire joined officers to learn about policing and road safety.

The event saw Scouts design a series of creative posters inspired by the national “Is Your Eyesight Roadworthy?” campaign and local Operation Dark Night – an annual initiative highlighting the importance of visibility and regular eye checks for drivers.Neighbourhood Policing Teams have also been reinforcing this message at community events, promoting the “Stay Bright at Night” messaging and encouraging drivers to consider the impact of reduced vision on road safety.Three of the poster designs from the Scouts Day have since been digitally recreated and will be proudly displayed across Wiltshire Police’s social media channels.