According to Specsavers, three out of four employers have no clue about the 2006 EU enactment, which requires the drivers to have frequent eye tests in order to prevent accidents. The law requires that every driver undergo an eye test every 5 years if he is a professional driver and every 15 years if he is a private driver.
A recent study conducted on 2,000 British drivers suggests that close to 17% road accidents that took place happened due to bad eyesight. As a general principle, the doctors suggest undergoing eye tests every three years. However, most of the drivers are not very careful about it and more than 5% of them have not even had an eye test in last 10 years.
Twenty percent of the drivers do not wear glasses even when they are required to do so, which often causes accidents. According to the survey, ten percent of the drivers either have had an accident or have come close to an accident due to not wearing their spectacles.
In spite of this, three out of four employers have no clue regarding the eye testing requirements even though it is bound to become an enforceable law in each member country by 2015. This was found out by Specsavers in a study conducted among 178 companies who employ drivers.
Laura Butler, Corporate Account Manager for Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, said that it is shocking that companies do not know about the legislation. While it is true that it is yet to become an actual legislation in the countries, it is important to start implementing the rules as a best practice measure.
Companies need to be sure that they are giving the correct instructions to employees with regard to health and safety issues; accredited NEBOSH courses can assist companies in training staff to be aware of proper health and safety procedures and to be fully aware of and comply with health and safety regulations.
