MP wins award for driver eye test campaign

Date: 5/1/2012

Meg Munn, the MP for Sheffield Heeley, has been commended for her campaign to introduce regular eye tests for drivers.

Brake and Direct Line have given her their Road Safety Parliamentarian of the Month Award and over the past two years her initiative has gained support from Eye Health Alliance, Specsavers and The Optical Confederation.

She wants drivers to have their eyes re-tested at least every ten years and for the examinations to be carried out by qualified practitioners, instead of using the current number plate system.

Ms Munn secured a parliamentary debate regarding the matter during National Eye Health Week in June 2011 and has questioned Road Safety Minister Mike Penning several times.

She said: "Having your eyes tested is such a simple thing and we know it saves lives. I'd encourage all drivers to have their eyes tested regularly."

Last month, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents received a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for its Road Safety ETP Evaluation Project.

Posted by Sarah Bailey