Vanity over vision

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Over 3.8 million[1] female motorists put vanity before safety by failing to wear their prescribed specs whilst driving.

Over a quarter (27 per cent) of female motorists should wear glasses whilst driving but do not always do so, with 10 per cent of women questioned admitting to feeling embarrassed by how they look in unfashionable specs. 

The 'Vanity and Vision' poll[2] of female motorists, conducted by Sheilas' Wheels car insurance, reveals that more than one in ten (11 per cent) admitted to being involved in an accident or near-miss in the last year as a result of bad eye sight. In fact, accidents as a result of poor vision behind the wheel cost £981 on average.

Top five reasons for women not wearing the appropriate eyewear behind the wheel:

  1. Forgetting to keep a spare pair of glasses in the car (26 per cent)
  2. Failing to keep an existing prescription up-to-date by not visiting the optician regularly - i.e. at least every two years (16 per cent)
  3. Finding that wearing glasses can be uncomfortable (15 per cent)
  4. Feeling more attractive without glasses (14 per cent)
  5. Feeling ‘ugly’ in glasses (12 per cent)

More than a third (34 per cent) of women polled admitted that they feel 'self-conscious' in glasses and almost a quarter (23 per cent) said that their specs make them feel 'unfashionable'. Just over a quarter (26 per cent) of female motorists questioned even admitted that they have chosen fashion sunglasses over prescription lenses at least once whilst driving.

Just 15 per cent of motorists with glasses 'always' keep a spare pair in their car, but perhaps even more worryingly, six per cent believe they can 'get away with' not wearing their specs at all for short journeys. The Highway Code states that if you need to wear glasses (or contact lenses) while driving, you must do so at all times whilst behind the wheel – failing to do so means that female motorists are not only putting themselves and others in danger but are breaking the law[3].

Over half (55 per cent) of women polled admit to slowing down to read road signs - potentially causing drivers behind to break suddenly or lower their speed. A further 42 per cent of motorists even rely on their passengers to read road signs for them.

Regular eye examinations for drivers are essential as people's eyesight can change significantly over time. The Eyecare Trust has teamed up with Sheilas' Wheels to provide female motorists with top tips on how to stay ‘eagle-eyed’ on the road this summer:

Kelly Plahay, a director of The Eyecare Trust, commented: "A 'numberplate test' is carried out officially in all driving tests but it's ultimately the driver's responsibilty to ensure they can pass this test at any time. If you fail to meet these visual standards, you are breaking the law every time you get behind the wheel.

With so many fashionable glasses, prescription sunglasses and different types of contact lenses on the market, there's no excuse for having poor vision whilst driving.  If you do need to wear glasses to meet the visual standards, make sure you have a pair in the car at all times.  Failing to wear them is not only illegal, but it could cause potential danger to yourself and other road users."

Regional Differences
If you're planning to hit the roads in Northern Ireland beware!  According to the research, Irish ladies are particularly bad at driving without their specs with half (50 per cent) of those with prescribed glasses failing to wear them behind the wheel.

Welsh ladies, on the other hand, are putting their safety first and opting for vision over vanity, with only seven per cent being involved in an accident or near-miss as a result of theirs or someone elses vision.

Jacky Brown at Sheilas’ Wheels car insurance, commented: "Today's modern woman wants to look good at all times and driving behind the wheel is no exception.  We are urging all women to get regular eye examinations, always wear glasses whilst driving if they need to, and invest in a pair of fashionable prescription sunglasses so they can look fantastic and drive safely when the sun shines. Having good vision is crucial for a safe journey."

Dollond & Aitchison
Sheilas' Wheels has teamed up with Dollond & Aitchison to offer all female motorists a free sight test and a 20% discount on all D&A's glasses and prescription sunglasses and a free contact lens assessment and trial[4]. With more than 30 top designer brands to choose from in D&A's bigger branches and names like Police, Fila and Sting available in 400 branches nationwide, the latest in fashionable eyewear is easily available. Women needn't shy away from wearing glasses with so many great frames to choose from and with D&A's personalised advice on styles to suit your face shape, colouring and lifestyle you'll be sure to get a pair of specs that will look great and improve your vision. Or give contact lenses a try. This offer leaves no room for excuses!

For more information on how to claim a free eye examination/contact lens assessment and discounted glasses or sunglasses visit our ‘Helpful Resources’ section[5]. You will also find some free tips on how to balance vanity with vision and stay safe behind the wheel.

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About Sheilas’ Wheels comprehensive car insurance:

Terms and conditions apply to Sheilas' Wheels car insurance

For further information please contact the Sheilas’ Wheels press office at Mischief PR on 020 7100 9999 or email sheilaswheels@mischiefpr.com

Visit the official fansite for Sheilas’ Wheels: www.ilovesheilas.com

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Notes to Editors:
[1] 3,851,170: this percentage figure is an estimate that is based on the over 17s female population (24,711,700)
Mid-2005 Population Estimates: United Kingdom; estimated resident population by single year of age and sex; Source: Office for National Statistics, General Register Office for Scotland, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

Calculations taken from Fly Research statistics: 78 per cent of the female adult population drive (19,275,126), and of those 74 per cent need vision correction (14,263,593).  Further to this, 27 per cent have driven without glasses at least once (3,851,170).

[2] Fly Research interviewed a random sample of 1,524 female drivers aged 18+ between 5th August and 8th August 2008.  Interviews were conducted across the UK via an online questionnaire.  Fly Research is an online market research company.  Its researchers are members of the MRS and Esomar, and abide by their guidelines.  Further information at www.flyresearch.com

[3] Visual Standards for Driving: Section 922 of the 1988 Road Traffic Act
Highway Code: 92
Vision: You MUST be able to read a vehicle number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 20 metres (or 20.5 metres where the old style number plate is used). If you need to wear glasses (or contact lenses) to do this, you MUST wear them at all times while driving. The police have the power to require a driver to undertake an eyesight test.

[4] Terms and conditions apply. Please note:  For the 18th August 2008 only you can obtain a  Free Eye Test voucher, 20% discount voucher and contact lens assessment voucher redeemable at D&A The Opticians by following this link. Then from 19th August until 18th September 2008 you are entitled to a free eye examination when buying a pair of glasses at D&A plus 20% off glasses and a free contact lens assessment and trial.

All vouchers are valid until the 30th November 2008.  Don’t forget to take your vouchers into your chosen branch of D&A with you to claim your offers.

[5] Terms and conditions apply.

About Sheilas' Wheels:
Sheilas' Wheels was launched in October 2005 to offer women drivers cheaper car insurance and product enhancements including £300 handbag cover - for bags stolen from the car (comprehensive cover only), competitive breakdown recovery rates, a dedicated counselling line run by trained professionals to help customers cope with driving issues such as road rage (comprehensive cover only) and a network of female-friendly repairers. In February 2008, the brand moved beyond car insurance to also offer home insurance.

Sponsorship:
Sheilas' Wheels sponsors the ITV National Weather: "Whether skies are grey or blue, Sheilas’ Wheels could cover you."