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Research* carried out by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare reveals that 44% of employers surveyed state they are concerned that some employees may have eyesight that is not adequate for driving.

Despite this, only a third (just 35%) of employers surveyed include testing the eyesight of drivers as part of their driver policy and more than half (53%) of employers surveyed say they never test the eyesight of employees who drive.

Yet, 85% of employers asked, said they had had their own eyesight tested within the last two years (the typical interval advised by optometrists).

Suzanne Randall, corporate account manager for Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, says: ‘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. Health and safety law applies to all work activities and clearly states that this includes driving for work purposes1.’

It may be that the cost, or perceived cost of driver eyecare also contributes to low levels of employer involvement. Just 36% of employers surveyed wholly fund eyecare for drivers. However, the survey also asked employers, bearing in mind the cost to the employer of a car collision (in terms of uninsured losses: fines, sick pay, lost time, damage of product, temporary labour, increased premiums, etc) at what price would an eye examination and corrective glasses (if required) represent value for money?

  • 40% thought £100 or more would represent value for money
  • 57% thought £75 or more would represent value for money
  • 74% thought £50 or more would represent value for money

In fact, Specsavers Corporate Eyecare’s Driver Eyecare eVoucher costs the employer just £35 per employee. At this cost, 89% of employers surveyed would believe this represents value for money.

Suzanne Randall concludes: ‘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.’

*The research took place among over 120 heads of companies with a remit including driver management, health and safety or HR. The survey was carried out on behalf of Specsavers Corporate Eyecare by EMedia in November 2014.

Visit www.specsavers.co.uk/corporate

A new web tool has been launched by the Licence Bureau to provide fleets with an integrated solution for licence checking and risk management/assessment.Malcolm Maycocka5eca9c7325c010469e3195875053753

Intended to help provide firms with an auditable trail to show compliance with duty of care and corporate manslaughter legislation, the firm’s Compliance Managed Services are aimed at businesses of any size with either company car and/or “grey” fleet drivers.

Led by industry demand, the web tool builds on the firm’s existing licence checking solution by adding in the ability for firms to carry out checks on environmental, health/safety compliance and grey fleet management parameters. Any areas of non-compliance can be flagged up by automated alerts tailored to the customers’ own needs, with full reporting provided. [click to continue…]

Earlier this year, Transport for London (TfL) and London Councils consulted on new proposals to ban Heavy Goods Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes (apart from a small number of exceptions) that are not fitted with side guards and additional mirrors from driving in London. The aim is to improve the visibility of cyclists and pedestrians to improve their safety on London’s roads. Transport for London (TfL) and London Councils proposed that in London it would be a criminal offence to drive vehicles that do not comply. [click to continue…]

The Information below is from the DVLA Blog site. All content is available under the Open Government Licence v2.0

It’s now been 5 months or 12 ‘sprints’ since View Driving Record moved into public beta (soon to be renamed View Driving Licence for its ‘live’ launch later this month) and we have been busy acting on the feedback that our users have given throughout this time. One of the themes we’ve concentrated on has been security and access to the service. [click to continue…]

“The SHE Show”. Hilton Blackpool : Tuesday 23 Sept 2014

Licence Bureau are exhibiting at “The SHE Show” a high profile conference running alongside an exhibition featuring key suppliers and service providers in the fields of safety, health and environment. [click to continue…]

Please take time out to listen and view this excellent Brake webinar delivering inspiration, ideas and advice for employers.

Road-Safety-week-2014-300

It is estimated up to five million UK drivers would fail a number plate test if they had to take it again.

The survey shows overwhelming public support see survey here.

Download the full news release here

Brake, the road safety charity, is calling on the government to introduce compulsory regular eyesight testing for drivers, as a survey with Specsavers Corporate Eyecare and RSA Insurance Group shows strong public support. Almost nine in 10 (87%) are in favour of drivers having to prove they have had a recent sight test every 10 years, when they renew their licence or photo card. Research indicates this change in the law would significantly reduce the estimated 2,900 casualties caused by poor driver vision each year [1].

The survey shows why government action is needed, with a quarter (25%) of drivers admitting they have not had their eyes tested in more than two years – despite research showing you can lose up to 40% of your vision before noticing the difference [2]. [click to continue…]

If you employ drivers then this Act applies to you. All your drivers need to be adequately trained and covered in terms of your business applying and maintaining the appropriate duty of care and health and safety regulations checks. [click to continue…]

The Department of Transports final statistics on road casualties in Great Britain for 2013 showed a 2% reduction in those killed and a 6% reduction in reported serious injuries; child casualties fell 9% to 15,956. The Government hailed these as the “lowest since records began”. [click to continue…]

Natalie, you bring another good discussion to the forum. I fear the Government is not joined up in its approach to driving on UK roads. Your contributors rightly point out one delay such as young drivers not being allowed to take to the road. There have been more contradictions in approach over the years, from every colour of government.

Another good point raised is that without roads policing officers, any offences are less likely to be brought to court. Too many police forces in the UK have reduced police numbers in roads policing and yet officers do so much more than their title suggests – I wager that they do more crime arrests than we give them credit for. [click to continue…]