Business drivers at risk from DVLA proposal

11 March 2011

Story from Fleet News.

The DVLA is proposing  to make the basic number plate test easier. Instead of the current 20 metres, drivers will soon have only to be able to read a number plate at 17.5 metres on the day of their test.

Meanwhile Specsavers Corporate Eyecare is calling for an obligatory eyetest to be implemented for all who drive in the course of their work and repeated as often as directed by their optometrist.

Without a change to the regulations it is company drivers who are most at risk. Driving for Better Business partner RoSPA states that company car drivers are 49% more likely to be involved in an accident than ordinary drivers, even after their higher mileages are taken into account. Specsavers Corporate Eyecare believes that it is essential for safety on our roads that obligatory eyesight tests are implemented at least for company drivers.

Jim Lythgow, director of strategic alliances at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, says, “We welcome the fact that the driving laws that are being reviewed if they are going to improve the safety on our roads, however we would like more emphasis on the ability to actually test eyesight. While we understand that the DVLA does not want to burden drivers with unnecessary hoops to jump through, good eyesight is surely an essential prerequisite for driving. We feel that company drivers are at particular risk and that with eye examinations available for less than £20, it is a cost that is easily justifiable.”

 Read the full story at fleetnews.co.uk.