Crackdown On Drivers With Poor Eyesight

Tuesday, 12. August 2008

Warnings have been issued by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare regarding the lack of eye tests being insisted upon by employers. They recommend that all employees that drive a car as part of their job should have their eyes tested every year and at worst every other year, if not this lack of management could lead to prosecution of the employer in the event of a fatal injury. Their investigation found that 84% of employers recognised the need for regular eye tests but 60% said that they had no policy. Of those that had a policy only 13% insisted on annual tests whilst 16% insisted every other year. 15% said their policy allowed for tests to be carried out when requested. Whether you are a private motorist or drive as part of your job eye tests are a critical health and safety issue and should not be ignored. As I have reported in the past the police continue to be staggered by the number of motorists involved in an accident that say ‘I just didn’t see her’ or ‘I didn’t notice him’ which in a large proportion of cases is a result of poor eyesight. By Graham Hill