Bad eyesight could make car insurance void

11 July 2008

Specsavers points out the penalties facing drivers with poor eyesight

According to a leading optician, motorists could render their car insurance void if they have poor eyesight but do not wear glasses.

Specsavers conducted a survey which found that around 25 per cent (one in four) of motorists are not able to read a vehicle’s number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres, even in clear conditions.

Qualified opticians conducted the research on 160 motorists at the 2008 Royal Highland Show.

However, Shirley-Ann Kennedy, chair of Specsavers in Scotland, claimed that these motorists could be penalised if they drive with unsatisfactory eyesight.

“Many drivers still don’t realise that if they can’t read a number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres or five car lengths in car light, they are committing an offence which may invalidate their car insurance,” she said.

However, as long as the motorist wears the right corrective prescription of glasses or contact lenses, then this should not create a problem should the motorist need to claim on their motor insurance.

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