GEM calls for overhaul of driver eyesight regulations
Reveal your adventurous side with Volvo’s new V90 Cross Country
ROAD SAFETY organisation GEM Motoring Assist says better regulation of eyesight tests for drivers would cut collisions and make Britain’s roads safer. Te only eyesight test at present is when you take your test and have to read a number plate at 20 metres. GEM says a detailed test of a driver’s visual acuity and field of view should be required every 10 years. Te call follows a survey of more than 1,000 GEM members1. An overwhelm- ing 87 per cent said compulsory eye testing would lead to safer roads. GEM road safety officer Neil Worth commented: “If you can’t see effectively, you shouldn’t be driving, but the truth is that there are many drivers whose eyesight has deteriorated to very dan- gerous levels. “In an ideal world, we would want compulsory eyesight tests every two years, particularly for drivers 40 and above. But the most practical measure would be a test of visual acuity and field of view every 10 years, which would fit in with licence renewal, making it practical and enforceable. “Even DVLA guidelines to medical professionals state that eyesight can decline gradually and unnoticed, with people losing up to 40 per cent of their visual acuity without being aware of deterioration.” GEM believes that regular mandatory eyesight tests for drivers would offer more than just a simple and effective way of reducing collisions caused by defective vision. “Compulsory eyesight tests would not
only make our roads safer, saving lives, disability and many millions of pounds through the reduction in the number of crashes, but they are also a valuable tool for the early diagnosis of many other costly medical conditions, irrespective of driving,” added Neil Worth. “Te time has come to accept that the current driver eyesight test simply isn’t fit for purpose. What’s more, it is cer- tainly no longer acceptable for drivers to self-certify. “Many more people are staying behind the wheel into their eighties and beyond. Tis, coupled with the greater volume of traffic and an increase in distractions, both inside and outside the vehicle, points to the clear need for more regular and detailed eyesight testing.”
About the test Te eyesight test was introduced to the driving test in 1937 and has only been amended in minor ways over the years to reflect changing number plate sizes. It is the only eyesight test drivers are required to undertake until they reach the age of 70. Field of view testing is a requirement in many US states, to check whether motorists can see and react to what’s happening around them. Many campaigns over the years have attempted to persuade the government to introduce measures that would make drivers take a more responsible view on the subject, but so far governments have declined to change the current regulations.
26 - Friday 31st March 2017 – Cardiff & South Wales Advertiser
The eagerly awaited V90 Cross Country – Volvo’s most capable and premium all- road estate to date – is now available from Cardiff-based Volvo Cars Cardiff. Since the introduction of the first Cross Country almost 20 years ago, Volvo has become synonymous with the rugged all-road, all-weather product category, with a growing stable of Cross Country models. “The all-wheel-drive V90 Cross Country takes the elegance of the V90 and transforms it into an all-road car that delivers advanced technology, supreme comfort and dynamic performance in a rugged and adventurous package,” comments Craig Bluff at Volvo Cars Cardiff. Volvo recently celebrated 20 years of its all-wheel-drive (AWD) technology, putting its most advanced mechanical system in the latest S90 saloon, V90 estate and XC90 SUV, reinforcing Volvo’s renowned heritage in safety, strength and durability. With all-wheel drive, an increased ride height and a chassis optimised for comfort and control in all weather and road conditions, the new V90 Cross Country takes the versatile V90 estate and adds the ability to take you off the beaten track. “The V90 Cross Country is an extremely capable vehicle on any road, in any kind of weather. Cross Country Volvos have always been popular with our customers, and this new version’s class-leading connectivity technology and premium interior will only strengthen that trend,” adds Bluff. With a design that stands out from the crowd, the V90 Cross Country’s rugged character belies a sumptuous interior that delivers a level of luxury uncommon in the segment, combining all the benefits of the connectivity and entertainment features that were launched with the new S90, V90 and XC90, including a high-end sound system by Bowers & Wilkins. The V90 Cross Country is available from £39,785 and is offered with a choice of two efficient and powerful diesel engines. For more information on the V90 Cross Country, or to arrange a test drive, please visit Volvo Cars Cardiff’s Penarth Road showroom or visit
www.volvocars.com/uk.
Driving a new car: tips from IAM RoadSmart
Buying a brand new car is something that many dream of. Although “running in” a car is not so critical today as it was in times gone by, there are a few things to bear in mind as you drive your shiny new pride and joy away from the showroom. Tis week’s tips give advice on driving a new car,
from IAM
RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman. • Allow the brakes to bed in. Start driving gently and avoiding harsh accelerating and braking heavily. Tyres will also last longer if treated gently for the first few hundred miles • Check the coolant levels and oil frequently. Te oil consumption may be relatively high for the first 5,000 miles as the engine parts gradually loosen up, but it should then settle down
• If possible, avoid long runs at constant engine speed for the first 1,000 miles or so. Varying the engine speed helps the parts to start working together over the full speed range • Fuel consumption will also gradually improve as the moving parts wear in, so don’t be too disappointed if your first tankful doesn’t take you as far as you hoped. It is quite normal for mpg to increase gradually over several thousand miles Richard said: “Buying a new car is exciting, but it is also a substantial investment. Treating it with a little restraint to begin with will help all the parts to perform at their best for longer and more reliably. Tis will also help you get the feel of the car before you fully exploit the performance.”
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