Fleet driver eyesight not being tested

Businesses aren’t doing enough to ensure their fleet drivers are fit to drive, with eyesight tests being frequently neglected.

Research results released by Specsavers opticians has shown that only a third of companies regularly provide eye tests, despite the fact that 44% are concerned over the quality of their drivers’ sight.

Over half of the same sample, 53%, confessed that they never test the adequacy of their driving force’s eyesight of their driving force, despite their concerns.

Specsavers Corporate Eyecare’s corporate account manager, Suzanne Randall, said: ‘It is revealing that so many employers hold concerns over their drivers’ eyesight and, therefore, over their safety.

“It may be that this is because they do not feel it is their place to intervene in what they may view as a personal matter – but this is simply not the case.

‘We believe there is a job to be done in informing employers of their responsibilities, and employees of their rights. Poor eyesight is a major concern for road safety but providing employers with the tools to raise awareness of the importance of eyecare in the workplace we view as a positive move.”

Despite the worrying figures, 85% of employers had their own eyesight tested every two years, the standard interval recommended by opticians.

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