Eye Tests for Driving, Sound Without Sight

Available for over a year

Within the government's new road safety strategy, they have identified a number of areas they'd like to hear people's views on in order to make the UK's roads safer. One of these is whether or not to introduce compulsory eye testing for drivers who are over 70. In Touch discusses this idea with Lilian Greenwood, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Transport, Dr Peter Hampson who is the Clinical and Policy Director at the Association of Optometrists and with the Macular Society's Director of Services, Jessica Kirby. To participate in the government's consultation on this issue, visit: gov.uk/government/consultations/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers In Touch also spotlights a project that aims to get more visually impaired people involved in the music industry, be that as performers or on the technical side of things. The project is called Sound Without Sight, and this week they are hosting a Q&A session with the highly successful blind singer, producer and campaigner Lachi. In Touch is joined by Lachi and Jay Pocknell, the project lead of Sound Without Sight and current music student Oscar King, who receives some pearls of wisdom from Lachi. Lachi will soon be releasing a new book called 'I Identify as Blind', where she discusses disability identity, neurodivergence, and embracing difference, with joy, humour, and passion. More information on her book can be found at: lachimusic.com/i-identify-as-blind Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings Production Coordinator: Helen Surtees Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image and he is wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three separate white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word ‘radio’ in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside of a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one is a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.