Drivers warned over sunglasses use

04/08/11

By Dan Smith

More than half of the country's motorists who require prescription lenses to see properly only wear normal sunglasses when driving, figures suggest.

A survey commissioned by online contact lens retailer Get Lenses shows that 53 per cent of respondents drive in regular sunglasses, and many do not even own a prescription pair.

Just 27 per cent have and use prescription products when taking to the roads on sunny days, the research showed.

According to rules set out by the DVLA, drivers should always be able to clearly see objects which are 20 metres away from them.

The firm's resident optometrist, Brendan O'Brien, said the findings offer some cause for concern.

He added: "Safety should never be compromised for style, especially when it comes to driving. We don't blame drivers, as often many people don't even consider prescription sunglasses.