Eyeglasses imperative while driving

November 17, 2009

Though it's easy to dash out of the house without your eyeglasses, think twice before driving without the proper corrective lenses.

A recent study of 1,100 Australians with glasses found 48 percent of those who require prescription specs would still drive if they forgot their glasses, according to the Australian Associated Press.

"Motorists risk serious injury to themselves and others if they neglect to wear their glasses while driving, as more than 90 percent of drivers' information comes from visual cues," Tony Stuart, the National Roads and Motorists' Association's Motoring chief executive, told the news source.

Are we any better than drivers in the land down under? Last week a Florida man was pulled over and arrested on the side of the road because he wasn't wearing his prescription eyeglasses, WOFL, a Fox affiliate station, reported.

Benito Pruno was arrested in front of his 7-year-old granddaughter and spent six hours in jail for the offense, according to the news provider.

Though wearing prescription glasses seems like common sense, drivers should also take heed of the American Optometric Association's (AOA) warnings, and wear sunglasses when cruising around on sunny days. The AOA recommends wearing shades with 99 percent UV protection in order to prevent eye health problems later in life.