NINETY per cent of drivers who took part in free on-the-spot eyesight checks at the Esso petrol station in Hartlebury passed with flying colours.

The initiative is part of the thinkaboutyoureyes.co.uk campaign, which aims to identify poor eyesight on the road and urge drivers to take extra care as the nights draw in and visibility worsens.

Hartlebury Trading Estate-based Prestige Chauffeur Services joined the campaign when its chauffeurs arrived at the forecourt to set an example by having their eyes screened.

The results bucked the trend of a survey that showed one in three drivers in the West Midlands put themselves and their passengers in danger because of poor visibility and problems with their eyesight.

Brian Halliday, of Think About Your Eyes, said: “These figures show that drivers in Hartlebury are taking responsibility for their eyesight and helping to keep our roads safer.

“Although we still have a long way to go to ensure the message reaches road users across the rest of the country, these results are a welcome example of how drivers are beginning to take note of the importance of good vision.”

Throughout Road Safety Week, the Think About Your Eyes campaign had specialist independent opticians around Britain running free 30-second spot checks at selected Esso garages, providing on-the-spot consultations and advice about where to go for a full eye exam.

Drivers are being urged to log on to thinkaboutyoureyes.co.uk to find their local independent optician and self-test to find signs of any eye problems.