ABDO calls on drivers to check their eyewear during Road Safety Week

ABDO calls on drivers to check their eyewear during Road Safety Week

As part of Road Safety Week (15–21 November) which this year is focusing on safe people on the move, the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) is encouraging motorists to make sure their spectacles are road ready and they are safe to drive.

Good vision is essential for safe driving, yet many drivers overlook the importance of checking whether their eyewear is fit for purpose. This Road Safety Week, ABDO is highlighting four simple checks that can help ensure spectacles support clear, comfortable and confident driving in all conditions.

The four road ready checks

1. Can you see clearly?

An up-to-date prescription is the foundation of safe driving. Vision can change gradually over time, often without people noticing. Regular eye examinations and ensuring spectacles are prescribed correctly can help drivers see road signs, hazards and other road users clearly.

2. Are your lenses road ready?

Lenses should be clean, undamaged and suitable for driving. Scratches, smudges and worn lens coatings can reduce visual clarity and increase glare, particularly in bright sunlight, rain or oncoming headlights at night.

3. Do your frames fit properly?

Well-fitting frames provide comfort, stability and optimal lens positioning. Frames that slip, sit unevenly or are out of alignment can affect vision and become a distraction behind the wheel.

4. Are you comfortable driving in all conditions?

Drivers should consider how well their spectacles perform during daytime and night-time driving, as well as in wet weather and challenging glare conditions. If any aspect of driving vision feels uncomfortable or difficult, professional advice should be sought.

A simple check that could make a big difference

Commenting on the campaign, Max Halford, ABDO clinical and policy director said,

“Most drivers routinely check their tyres, lights and fuel before a journey, but many do not think about the condition of their spectacles. During Road Safety Week, we want motorists to ask themselves whether their eyewear is truly road ready. Clear, comfortable vision is a vital part of road safety, and a few simple checks can make a real difference. If drivers have any concerns about their vision, lenses, frames or driving comfort, they should visit their dispensing optician, who is best placed to advise on the most appropriate eyewear solutions for their individual needs.”

ABDO is encouraging all spectacle wearers to take the Road Ready Spectacles challenge and review their eyewear against the four key checks. If they have concerns about their vision, lenses, frames or how well they can see in different driving conditions, they should visit their dispensing optician. Dispensing opticians are best placed to advise on spectacle fit, lens suitability, coatings and eyewear options to help ensure motorists are road ready.

Road ready spectacles checklist

✅ Up-to-date prescription

✅ Clean, undamaged lenses with appropriate coatings

✅ Secure, comfortable and properly aligned frames

✅ Comfortable vision in daylight, darkness, wet weather and glare conditions

This Road Safety Week, make sure your spectacles are road ready before you hit the road.