Report Shows Millions May Be Driving with Uncorrected Visual I...( Importance of Regular Eye Exams f...),Health

Importance of Regular Eye Exams for Driver Safety Highlighted

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With Thanksgiving a week away, an estimated 30 million travelers will hit the roads to spend time with family and friends. Among those behind the wheel will be some of the 11 million Americans with uncorrected vision problems. Depending upon where those drivers live, their last DMV-required vision screening could have been eighteen years ago and some may never have had one at all, according to a report by the Vision Council of America (VCA).

While most states have consistent laws on seat belt safety, helmet use and speeding, there is no consistency with vision screenings among states. This Thanksgiving, VCA has set out to educate drivers about the important link between healthy vision and safe driving.

"Our already crowded roads are made that much more dangerous by drivers with uncorrected vision problems getting behind the wheel," said Ed Greene, VCA chief executive officer. "Since 85 percent of the information needed for safe driving is visual, regular eye exams are an important part of driver safety."

While the VCA report, "Keeping Our Eyes on the Road," reviewed vision screening laws across the country, further analysis by VCA finds that standards for vision screenings contrast starkly with strict state laws regarding drunk driving, speeding, seatbelt, child restraint and helmet use by motorcyclists.

"We rely on our eyes every time we step into a car; especially our peripheral vision, depth perception and focusing skills," said Greene. "This link between vision and driving makes it essential for motorists to take steps to maintain healthy vision, just as they take other safety precautions on the road."

Current state laws place a high priority on the safety of drivers and passengers:

-- Forty-eight states have the .08 Blood Alcohol Content Law to prevent drunk driving.

-- Twenty-two states have
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