Nearly half (45 percent) of employers are concerned that employees who drive during the course of their work may not have adequate eyesight to do so safely, according to new research from Specsavers Corporate Eyecare.
As part of Specsavers’ sponsorship of Brake’s Road Safety Week (18 – 24 November), the opticians is encouraging employers to take a lead role in ensuring that their drivers can see well enough to drive.
“It may be a surprise to many that this figure is so high, especially as the legal requirements for driver eyesight are actually quite minimal,” said Jim Lythgow, Director of Strategic Alliances at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare. “The law still just requires a driver to be able to read a modern number plate from a distance of 20 metres. The fact that so many employers are concerned should serve as a wake-up call.”
Specsavers’ research showed that employers are making the right moves to improve the situation, with nearly three quarters (72 percent) saying they offer workplace eye care to all who drive for work purposes. However, 17 percent only offer it to some drivers and 11 percent do not offer eye care to anyone driving in the course of their work.
“If employers are offering eye care to the majority of drivers but are still concerned that their eyesight is not good enough, then clearly something is missing,” Lythgow added. “It is not enough to just offer corporate eye care. It needs to be proactively communicated and promoted too. If employees were more aware of the risks they run by not having regular eye tests, such as potentially losing their driving license, they may be more likely to take up the benefit.”
Specsavers recommends steps such as putting up posters and information on staff noticeboards or adding details on a staff intranet, to encourage staff to take up their eye care benefits. Wellbeing days can also provide the opportunity for companies to promote all health benefits on offer to their staff.
