Fleet managers 'concerned about employees' eyesight'

Date: 06/02/2012 16:21:38

Many fleet managers have expressed some concern that members of their mobile workforce may be driving when their eyesight is not good enough.

A study carried out by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare questioned the managers of 164 UK companies and found 54 per cent were concerned about the eyesight of their workforce.

In total, these companies represent a workforce of around 414,000 staff in both the public and private sector.

It was revealed that while 91 per cent think it is important for their staff to have their eyes checked, only 38 per cent have a policy in place for occupational drivers to have regular tests.

Jim Lythgow, director of strategic alliances at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, said: "We believe that all drivers, particularly those who are at increased risk should undergo a full eye examination to determine that they are safe to drive."

The number of people working as drivers could be set to increase, as commercial vehicle registrations increased by 7.5 per cent in December 2011 compared with the same timeframe of 2010.