ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announcing a new requirement for anyone wanting to renew their driver’s license.

A new bill is requiring vision screenings for any Kentuckian renewing their license, starting next year.

“You want to see your best so you are keeping yourself safe and you’re keeping others safe on the roads,” said Dr. Mary West, optometrist at Weber West Eye Care in Ashland.

She says vision screenings are important for anyone wanting to get behind the wheel of any vehicle.

“You want your eyes to see the most clear perfect image, so that as it’s seeing that, it’s processing the image and it’s getting that information to your brain then to your body who’s driving the car so you can figure out what you need to do, so your reaction time is what it needs to be to be safe on the roads,” West said.

West says requiring these screenings could catch vision problems drivers may have otherwise missed if they don’t get routine vision care.

“People don’t realize how slowly of a change that they’ve had that their vision has decreased, so they take their license test and they’re like, ‘Wait, I’m just not seeing that great,’” West said. “Because they’ve been seeing well for so long, they haven’t been to an eye doctor because they feel like everything is OK.”

Drivers are required to renew their licenses every four to eight years, depending on their state. However, West says everyone should prioritize getting a vision screening every year.

“Just because you are seeing great one year doesn’t mean the next you’re still seeing 20/20 so we need to check that out to see if you need help getting back to that visual sharp acuity, that we can help you with that,” West said.

Free screenings will be provided at drivers license regional offices around the state. These screenings take about a minute, and they do not require any additional appointments.

Drivers can also take care of their vision screening by having an eye exam with their eye doctor within 12 months of their license renewal.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 19 states already require vision tests or screenings at license renewals as a measure to cut down on crashes. In our region that includes Ohio and now Kentucky. West Virginia doesn’t have this requirement.

Weber West Eye Care is located at 2119 Carter Ave. in Ashland, Kentucky.