RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

October 29, 2004
EYESIGHT CHECKS URGED FOR FLEET DRIVERS

RoSPA is urging fleet managers to have policies in place to ensure their drivers’ eyesight is good enough for them to be on the road.

New research from the Royal National Institute of the Blind shows that one in three drivers could be putting themselves and others at risk by driving with poor eyesight. It showed that 32 per cent of all drivers were not having their eyes tested regularly.

Charles Davis, RoSPA Head of Driver and Fleet Solutions, said: “Employers should be sure that people who drive as part of their job understand the importance of regular eyesight checks. They should also have a policy that anyone who needs glasses or contacts lenses when driving wears them.

“Fleet managers should advise drivers to carry a spare pair of spectacles with them for use in emergencies, and companies could consider subsidising eyesight checks for their drivers every two years.”

The Highway Code says that drivers must be able to read a vehicle number plate from 20.5 metres – about five car lengths – in good daylight.

Charles Davis said fleet managers should check new employees were able to do this, and build in regular checks for other drivers to ensure they were not breaking the law.

If drivers did not have their eyesight checked regularly, they would not know if it had deteriorated and they could be putting their lives and those of other road users at risk.