Brake, the road safety charity, has developed a free, interactive online resource in partnership with Specsavers to remind drivers of the importance of ensuring that their vision is up to scratch before getting behind the wheel.

‘Sharpen up’ is aimed at anyone who works with drivers, including fleet professionals, driving instructors, road safety professionals, teachers and the emergency services, as well as directly at individuals who want to know more about driver eyesight.

Almost three quarters (74%) of people in the UK wear contact lenses or glasses and, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, up to 40% of a person’s vision can be lost before they even notice it. It is therefore not surprising that people with impaired vision are estimated to cause 2,900 casualties on the road each year.

David Robinson, a specialist road accident solicitor based in Thompsons Solicitors’ Newcastle office, said: “For the vast majority of drivers, their eyesight is only tested once officially – on the day that they take their test and even then it's not exactly sophisticated.

“Regular eye examinations are a vital part of ensuring that we are fit to get behind the wheel but, thanks to fees brought in by the Thatcher government, they are costly and people are known to skip them. Hopefully, this new online resource will encourage more people to get their eyesight checked. Failing to do so risks not only their own safety, but also that of other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.”