05 October 2017
I recently interviewed a psychologist for an article on keeping yourself motivated at work (due to appear in OT ’s December edition). What struck me during our conversation was the emphasis she placed on a person’s life outside of work.
“We should work to live, not live to work – but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t enjoy and thrive at work either,” she told me.
Hobbies, she shared, are very important because you must be happy and have a sense of achievement outside of the work environment too.
This got me thinking about myself and my own activities outside of work. I run (occasionally), but I certainly don’t share the same activity-filled afterschool diary that I did when I was a child.
So I’m starting small and expanding my skill set – I’m getting back behind the wheel after a 15-year hiatus.
Five days after I passed my test, I flew the nest to university and, living in London, a car has never felt necessary. But a month ago, I moved 40 miles from London, and a car now seems like a good idea. Visiting friends in the city, returning to the coast to see my parents and even doing the supermarket run would all be quicker and more enjoyable tasks on four wheels.
I am in the process of applying for a replacement licence, ‘refresher’ lessons in the diary for next month, and I am quickly working my way through my checklist to ensure that I am ready to get back behind the wheel.
A sight test is next on the agenda for the weekend. Yes, I know that legally I am not required to, but nor am I required to take lessons when I have a licence, despite it being a decade and a half since I took charge of a vehicle. However, they both seem like sensible things to do.
The clocks go back at the end of the month, and many of my lessons will be after dark having returned from work. I want to be sure that my vision is effective in this environment, and that it will be able to cope after a day of screen work. After all, it is my responsibility as a driver to ensure that I am fit to drive, as the AOP highlights in its driving and vision position statement.
In this position statement, the AOP reflects on the current requirements and shares its views on vision and safe driving – a sight test on licence application and a sight test every 10 years thereafter are among them.
So as we prepare for the official end of British summer time, now is the time to think about how you could highlight the importance of vision and driving to patients.
The AOP will be highlighting the importance of vision and driving next month (details to follow shortly), will you?
Comments (2)
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Anonymous09 October 2017
We spoke to one of the large insurance companies about this recently. They felt they weren't able to implement this as the administration would be too complex. However, it doesn't mean that we won't approach others. We'll keep you posted.
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Anonymous06 October 2017
I like the idea of a sight test being necessary every 10 years to continue driving. I'm not sure how long legislation would take, but meanwhile I wondered about more of a carrot approach via the insurance companies. Proof of eye examination within 5 years would lead to a discount on insurance- in a similar way to the black box on young driver's cars affecting the cost of their insurance.
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