Women drivers snub wearing glasses

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Female drivers are risking their car insurance by not wearing prescribed glasses on the roads, it has been revealed.

Around one in six women motorists do not wear their prescription spectacles behind the wheel, a survey by insurance company Sheilas' Wheels found.

Up to 27% said they only sometimes wear their glasses while driving, with 10% admitting they feel embarrassed wearing them.

A total of 11% of the women polled blamed a lack of vision for an accident or near miss they had been involved in the last year.

Self-consciousness while wearing their glasses was a problem for 34% and 26% said they had worn fashion sunglasses instead of prescription spectacles while driving at least once.

Only 15% of those polled always kept a spare pair of glasses in their car, while 6% thought they could do without their glasses on short journeys.

More than half said they had slowed down to read road signs, while 42% have asked passengers to read signs for them.

Jacky Brown at Sheilas' Wheels car insurance, said: "We are urging all women to get regular eye examinations, always wear glasses while driving if they need to, and invest in a pair of fashionable prescription sunglasses."

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