The report, which was commissioned by OPSM, surveyed 1,043 drivers and riders from both capital city and regional areas in Australia, and forms part of a broader campaign launched by OPSM to encourage road users to get regular eye checks before taking to the road.
With Easter around the corner and many families planning their long-weekend getaways, OPSM is taking the lead in Australia to promote good vision for safer roads. This follows a strong call to action from the United Nations (UN) to halve the number of road deaths and injuries globally by 2030.
Director of Eyecare and Community at OPSM, Peter Murphy, said: “The Easter holidays are a popular time to get away with family and friends, but drivers need to take every precaution to ensure they get to their destination safely. This campaign encourages road users to get their eyes checked at their local OPSM store before hitting the road to ensure a safe travel experience for all road users.”
“Eye tests play a huge part in making sure your eyes stay healthy. At OPSM, we encourage Aussies to get their eyes checked at least every two years and if you’re a Medicare card holder, eye tests can be bulk billed. Eye tests help identify vision changes such as whether you need to start wearing glasses or make a change to an existing prescription. Testing early and testing often is the most effective way to detect any early warning signs and maintain good eye health”, Murphy said.
Aussies prioritise snacks over safety in road-trip planning
The research provides new insights into the priorities of drivers before embarking on long road trips.
Choosing appropriate snacks and beverages (66%), checking tyre pressure (65%), topping up vehicle fluids (62%) and assessing the weather of the destination (60%) were considered greater priorities among road users over getting their eyes tested (8%).
Similarly, on long road trips, just under 4 in 10 drivers know to rest their eyes to avoid fatigue despite two thirds of Australian drivers being annoyed by visual fatigue when driving. 9 in 10 Australian drivers are annoyed by the headlight glare when driving at night and 87% of drivers are annoyed by glare from natural sunlight.
Aussies procrastinate getting their eyes checked
Despite many Australians placing an eye test at the bottom of their to-do list (8%), a staggering 84% of drivers admit that their vision isn’t perfect, while 35% of drivers feel anxious about getting their eyes tested before applying for their licence.
Gen Zs in particular delay getting their eyes checked, with half of the young respondents stating they feel anxious about getting an eye test. Whereas millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers are far more likely to prioritise their eye health.
Aussies lack the confidence to drive at night
Despite a third of Australian drivers not feeling confident driving at night because of their vision, only one in six regular road users are highly interested in buying a dedicated pair of corrective glasses to improve vision for specific situations, including night driving.
More than half of regular motorcycle riders have vision problems preventing them from feeling confident while riding at night and a third of drivers consider their vision is preventing them from driving in full safety at night. Whereas, only 16% of road users say their vision is stopping them from driving during daylight hours. Gen Zs in particular lack the most confidence driving during the day (28%), followed by millennials (21%), Gen X (16%) and Baby Boomers (3%).
Regular eye checks give optometrists a chance to help patients adapt to vision changes and provide them with tips on caring for their eyes. An eye test can take as little as 20 minutes or more depending on the individual requirements of the patient.
To learn more about the campaign, visit: https://www.opsm.com.au/special-offers/eye-test.
Head into your local OPSM store to schedule your eye test before you hit the roads this Easter Holiday! Bulk billing is available for standard eye tests in Australia to eligible Medicare cardholders.
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