Driving Campaign Launched

NSW Minister for Roads the Hon Michael Daley today announced a joint campaign with the Macular Degeneration Foundation to raise awareness of eye health and encourage drivers to have their eyes tested, including the macula.

The MD Foundation has established a partnership with the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), to promote good eye health and ongoing macula checks. Today marked the launch of Keep On Driving – Safely in NSW; a program that will see macular degeneration brochures inserted in every drivers licence renewal letter for the next five years.

It is estimated that there will be approximately 5.4 million licences renewed during the next five years. That’s 5.4 million people we can better inform about the disease.

The campaign supports the over 50’s having the best possible chance to "keep on driving" through early detection and treatment, regular eye checks and access to information. The brochures will encourage regular eye examinations, outline who is at risk and stress the importance of early detection.

Research has shown that driving is one of the main areas that affect quality of life and independence amongst the vision impaired. The Foundation wants to ensure Australians maintain good eye health so they can keep on driving and keep on driving safely.

This is an exciting initiative which will again raise awareness of this disease with Australians with a strong call to action. The Foundation is extremely grateful for the support of the NSW Government and the RTA in supporting this initiative.

15 January 2009