A local optician is warning that drivers in Pembroke Dock may be putting themselves and other road users at risk by not meeting the legal vision standard for driving.

Specsavers on Dimond Street has issued the warning during National Road Safety Week (November 18-24), an annual initiative organised by the charity Brake and sponsored by Specsavers.

It comes after results from vision screenings carried out by Specsavers at the Royal Welsh Show this year revealed that almost half (49 per cent) of people tested using Specsavers specialist vision screening equipment did not have the required levels of vision to legally drive.

A corresponding survey also highlighted that many Welsh road-users are not complying with the recommendation to have an eye test every two years. More than a third (38 per cent) of those surveyed said that they had not had a sight test in the last two years, meaning that any changes in their sight may have gone undetected.

Gary Owen, director at Specsavers Pembroke Dock, says: "These results prove that eyesight still isn't a big enough concern for drivers on the roads today. The law states it's the driver's responsibility to keep their eyesight in check, yet almost half the people who took our test failed.

"Sight usually deteriorates slowly and can easily go unnoticed, which is why it is so important for drivers to get their eyes tested every two years. We hope that these results will encourage more drivers to book an eye test, making our roads safer for everyone.

"Specsavers has now created a free Sight Check app for smart phones to make this even easier. If the app should perceive the need for the user to have an eye test, it will direct them to their nearest branch of Specsavers where they can have a full eye examination."

Specsavers has the following advice for local drivers to minimise the risks of road accidents:

• Get your eyes checked at least once every two years and if you are told to wear glasses when driving - wear them! Failure to do so not only means breaking the law but putting yourself and others in danger.

• Do not wear sunglasses or polarising lenses in low visibility or at night as this will decrease your own ability to see the road.

• Carry a spare pair of glasses or contact lenses with you at all times just in case they get damaged.

• Make sure your windscreen and windows are clean at the beginning of your journey to ensure clear visibility at all times. This also goes for headlights, indicators, hazard lights and brake lights. Displaying lights not only makes it easier for other cars to see you but also for you to see pedestrians.

• Some styles of glasses are inappropriate for night time driving. For example, you should never wear yellow tinted lenses as these will reduce your ability to see pedestrians and cyclists. If oncoming traffic dazzles and distracts, an anti-reflection coating can help.

• Download the free Specsavers Sight Check app. Should the app perceive a user's need to book an eye examination at the end of the test, it will direct them to their nearest Specsavers for a full eye examination.

For more information and advice on the correct glasses to wear for driving, call 0800 068 0241 or log onto http://www.specsavers.co.uk">www.specsavers.co.uk to find your nearest store.