Lesley Cree supports AOP view on safe driving standards

The latest hot topic of discussion within the world of Optometry is whether or not Optometrists should be responsible for reporting drivers with bad eyesight to the relevant authorities.

It is a view that is shared by the Association of Optometrists, who are currently appealing to the public for views via an informal online community forum. The question being asked is, should this be a formal consultation and a petition be raised in Parliament?

After the recent death of Poppy-Arrabella Clark, a toddler who was killed at a pelican crossing by a driver who failed to recognise her or the red light he skipped, it is clear to see why the AOP and Optometrists across the UK are taking a firm stance on this hot topic.

Lesley Cree is one of the Optometrists supporting the AOP. Commenting she said, “Unfortunately stories like Poppy’s are all too common and I am a firm believer that more should be done by Optometrists to shoulder the responsibility and act as arbiters of driving vision standards. We are the professionals that see first-hand when a person’s eyesight has deteriorated to a level that is below the required level and therefore unfit to drive safely.”

Whilst forums and petitions are being signed, the hard truth is that there is only one sure fire way to ensure you are fit to drive and the solution is to quite simply undergo a regular eye test.

For those that have never had an eye test and drive a car, or those that think their eyesight is “good enough” consider this……Would you forgive yourself if your poor eyesight resulted in an accident that injured or killed an innocent person? After all, in the case of John Place, he didn’t mean to kill Poppy-Arabella Clark but his neglect to get his eyesight tested resulted in a four-year prison sentence for death by dangerous driving.

To ensure your eyesight is at the required standard to drive, please contact Lesley Cree Opticians to book your eye test.