Citation

Pointer JS. Ophthalmic. Physiol. Opt. 2007; 27(3): 238-244.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article reports on a study undertaken to evaluate the current level of recollection of the vehicle number plate viewing distance in a group of motorists. Knowledge of this distance is required to self-check compliance with the United Kingdom legal minimum driving vision standard. The study involved a cohort of 480 motorists aged 17 years and older who were attending an optometric appointment for a routine vision test. The participants all completed a short verbal survey that asked whether they could state the current UK statutory vehicle number plate viewing distance as specified in the Highway Code. Also recorded were each motorist?s high contrast logMAR visual acuity, whether or not an glasses or contacts were usually worn when driving, and brief demographic details (age, gender). The results showed that no statistically significant gender-based difference was present in age distribution, mean logMAR binocular acuity, or age and number (proportion) of motorists who habitually wore corrective lenses when driving. The level of mean binocular acuity was uniformly good but the recollection by respondents of the statutory viewing distance was poor. Only 5% of the study's participants were able to state correctly the current distance (20 m), and 22% recalled the previous (20.5 m/67 ft) or the original (22.9 m/75 ft) statutory distance. Of the remainder, 28% underestimated and 45% overestimated the distance. The level of recognition by these motorists of the viewing distance necessary to satisfy the legal minimum vision standard required for driving on UK roads was low and comparable to the levels recorded in two similar surveys undertaken by other authors 10 and 20 years ago. The authors conclude by suggesting an inexpensive and easily implemented publicity innovation that could help improve driver appreciation of the statutory distance and promote compliance with the legal vision standard.