Is Your Vision Roadworthy?

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Is Your Vision Roadworthy? Hero Image Rectangle

Today (5th December 2024) our chair, Rob Heard, appeared on BBC Morning Live talking about Vision and Driving and how important it is that we all have good vision for driving. Rob has been working with Eye Health UK and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) running a campaign across the country called ‘Is Your Vision RoadWorthy?’.

The results of the campaign were analysed and a report written by Dr Carol Hawley of Warwick Medical School and CARGY research. The report can be read in detail on the website Vision and Driving.

The campaign was the largest ever UK roadside vision screening survey and revealed a worrying number of motorists in Britain driving with sub-standard vision. The main findings in the report said:

  • Police Forces across England and Wales conducted number plate tests on 3,010 motorists.
  • 7% failed the number plate test – the equivalent of 720,642 motorists.
  • 2% of all drivers stopped were issued police warnings or had their licence revoked.
  • 4% of all drivers stopped had their driving licence revoked. Thirty-eight revocations were immediate (on the spot), and six were pending, awaiting action from DVLA.
  • 40% of motorists had not had a sight test in the last two years, as recommended.
  • One third of drivers had been prescribed corrective lenses for driving. Half of drivers who failed the roadside sight test were not wearing their required glasses when stopped by police.
  • The roadside test failure rate was highest amongst older drivers. 10.2% of 81 to 90-year-olds failed.
  • The number plate test is the most basic requirement of the UK’s legal eyesight standards for driving.

IMG_1160Rob Heard speaking with Gordon Smart on BBC Morning Live

Our chair said

“This report highlights that many people are still taking the risk to drive without knowing they have suitable vision for driving and failing to have an eyesight test every two years. Peoples’ sight deteriorates gradually, often without them being aware and often without them realising their sight may have fallen below the legal limit. 

Regular sight tests with an optometrist are an effective way of not only making sure we are safe to drive on the road, but also detecting medical conditions early so they can be treated, potentially extending a person’s driving career.” Rob Heard

To watch the BBC Morning Live programme then click on this link. Footage on the campaign starts at 14:49.

GEM Festive Webinar

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Webinar December 2024

Valerie Singleton OBE to host festive GEM webinar on Thursday 12 December

  • Registration for the FREE event is open now
  • Expert advice on changes to vehicle tax rules, plus top tips for festive trips
  • A line-up of Val’s guests will contribute to the conversation
  • One lucky participant will with a fabulous hamper in time for Christmas

Registration is now open for GEM Motoring Assist’s forthcoming webinar, hosted by Valerie Singleton OBE. The event takes place on Thursday 12 December at 2pm, and will include the opportunity to one lucky participant win a luxury hamper in time for Christmas.

Val’s guests include motoring journalist David Motton (road test editor for GEM’s member magazine Good Motoring), who will answer questions on the big changes in car tax coming in April 2025. He will also offer advice for anyone looking to change their car in 2025, and will point to where some of the best automotive bargains might be found.

Lee Puffett, GEM’s managing director, will review the many highlights for the organisation in 2024, and will outline exciting new member benefits scheduled for the coming year.

Heidi Duffy and her colleagues from the National Young Rider Forum have made good use of a recent grant from the GEM Road Safety Charity. They have produced a suite of short videos promoting better knowledge of road safety among young working motorbike and scooter riders – and Heidi will be on hand to share one or two of them.

Alan Hiscox from the British Horse Society will reveal an exciting new awareness-raising initiative for 2025… and transport historian Alan Wakely will be sharing a raft of fascinating facts and figures relating to Christmas on the road.

Anyone interested in winning the luxury Christmas hamper will have the chance to answer a prize question posed by Val, who will announce the name of the lucky winner before the end of the webinar. Details of how to take part will be explained during the webinar.

GEM managing director Lee Puffett said: “We are excited about this webinar, and particularly happy to be working with Valerie Singleton once again. She has a long and successful relationship with GEM, and I know and she remains passionate in supporting safe mobility and independence for all road users.”

As well as presenting the organisation’s long-running ‘Still Safe to Drive’ web resource for senior drivers and their families, Val has also completed two GEM driver assessments in recent years.

Register now for the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OI2GHJJFQSycI4BqwsvWbw

 

Driving Safely in Winter – Highways Special – Webinar

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Highways Special

Saturday 30 November 10:00am Older Drivers Forum Webinar
‘DRIVING SAFELY IN WINTER. HIGHWAYS SPECIAL.’  

 With temperatures plummeting with journey planning, it is even more important to check weather reports and road conditions.

Our guest presenter is Chris Walsh Gloucestershire Highways Area Manager, responsible for winter operations. He will provide a fascinating insight into the services and operations being delivered by Highways to keep our roads safe.

Also, where information can be gathered on the Highways website on gritting scheduling.

This webinar also provides advice for mature driver on how to sharpen driving skills, prepare their car and plan journeys to reflect the challenges of winter.

At this event we also give details of mature driver reviews that are available free of charge for Gloucestershire residents in 65+ age group

To register for this event, click on this link https://tinyurl.com/364nkx8s

Voluntary Mature Driver Assessments

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There is a lot in the press at the moment about Older Drivers and Mature Driver Assessments.

We know that older motorists have a wealth of experience, confidence and tolerance. However, sight, hearing, reaction time and judgement of speed and distance may not be as sharp as it once was. Fragility increases with age, so injuries tend to be more serious and recovery takes much longer. Casualty rates do increase for car drivers aged over about 65, and the fatality rate increases significantly. Our biggest issue as we age is often complacency, especially with our driving. We are therefore encouraging all to make sure you are still safe to drive. We MOT and Service our vehicles as they age, how about checking ourselves?

Statistics released by the Department for Transport  https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-older-and-younger-driver-factsheets-2022/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-older-driver-factsheet-2022 do show fatalities involving young drivers is steadily decreasing, unfortunately older drivers are increasing, probably due to the older driver licence numbers increasing on average around ¼ million every year. We have an ageing population so expect huge increases in licences held by older drivers, so older driver deaths will increase, but there is plenty we can do to reduce this risk, which is why we are raising awareness of this and trying to make sure we are all fit and healthy to drive.

The article below by the BBC shows what we are doing to help and support mature motorists to carry on driving safely for longer and encourage us all to consider a mature driver assessment.

Click here to read article from the BBC