A ROAD safety charity is urging the Government to make driver sight tests compulsory after a survey revealed some eye-watering statistics.

Brake’s survey revealed 25% of drivers admitted not having their eyes tested for more than two years while 19% have put off visiting the optician despite having a problem.

A further 12% of drivers who know they need glasses or lenses to drive have done so without.

Brake is running Sharpen Up, a campaign that calls for changes to the law that would mean applications for a provisional licence should only be accepted with a recent eye test and when renewing a photo card once every ten years.

Brake deputy chief executive Julie Townsend said: “Compulsory regular eyesight testing for drivers is a commonsense life-saving move.

“Making sure your vision is up to scratch is crucial to safe driving and though it may seem there are plenty of excuses to put off going to the opticians, none is good enough when it comes to putting people’s lives at risk.

“If you drive, it’s not just your own health you are jeopardising by neglecting your eyesight but the lives of those around you. That’s why it’s vital for drivers to get their eyes professionally checked at least every two years – eyesight can deteriorate rapidly without you noticing.”