Member Article

Road fatalities & declining eye tests prompt initiative

Rise in road fatalities and declining eye test rates prompt initiative with sights set on motorists

Free eye tests offered as Aviva and Vision Express join forces to make Britain’s roads safer

Amid an increase in road deaths and declining eye tests in the UK, a new initiative is highlighting the importance of sight to motorists to help them safeguard their licences and improve road safety.

A collaboration between national optician Vision Express and insurer Aviva is bidding to make Britain’s roads safer. From 13 June 2016, people can claim a free eye test by downloading a voucher on Aviva’s website, which can be redeemed at any of the 390-plus Vision Express stores across the UK.

The offer is available to Aviva customers and non-customers alike when they register for free with the insurer’s MyAviva system, which can be accessed online or through an app.

The initiative follows Department for Transport figures showing 1,780 road deaths in the UK, representing a 3% increase from 2014 to 2015 . Furthermore, a Freedom of Information request reveals that last year alone 9,034 licences were revoked from car and motorcycle (Class 1) drivers citing vision as a factor.

Worryingly, this comes as the NHS reports the lowest number of eye tests in the lifetime of its annual ophthalmic summary, dating back to 2002/03.

Jonathan Lawson, Vision Express CEO, comments: “As Cassie’s Law has given authorities greater powers to revoke driving licences due to concerns about standards of vision, it’s never been more important to know that your sight is up to scratch. A sight test is recommended at least every two years , yet only around half of adults visit an optician every five years, with 8% never having had a sight test. That’s around 4 million people in the UK - and it’s alarming that many of these will be getting behind the wheel on a regular basis.

“For most people the only mandatory vision check is when they read a registration plate from 20 metres as part of a driving test, and the majority of drivers pass their test aged under 20. Crucially, we know that changes in eyesight can be gradual, and it’s possible to lose up to 40% of your vision before noticing it. That’s why this collaboration with Aviva, offering free regular eye tests, is an important step to safer motoring.”

Lindsay Forster, UK & Ireland Customer Marketing Director for Aviva says: “We’re on a mission to make Britain’s roads safer and given the weight of evidence about the impact of sight on fitness to drive, our collaboration with Vision Express will provide a real, much-needed benefit to motorists. Research shows that 37% of people put off having a sight check due to cost concern so we hope people will take advantage of the free test and together we can put eye health at the top of the drive safer agenda.”

The arrangement underpins Aviva’s ‘Drive Safer’ campaign, which has been supported by household names such as Tinchy Stryder, Martin Kemp, Made in Chelsea’s Louise Thompson and former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts. Launched in December 2015 with a TV advertising and marketing campaign, it encourages drivers to check how safely they drive through the Aviva Drive app, based on acceleration, braking and cornering over 200 miles.

Users of the Aviva Drive app are given an individual score out of 10 and drivers may then be able to use their score to achieve discounts on their Aviva car insurance. Thanks to the collaboration with Vision Express, people will also be able to receive free eye tests and exclusive discounts on eyewear.

GP, writer and broadcaster Dr Sarah Jarvis is a passionate campaigner for driver health including conditions such as diabetes and stroke, which can be detected via an eye test. She advises: “When you’re driving, speed and reactions are enormously important. If your eyes aren’t all they should be, it may take you a few seconds longer to recognise what’s going on and then to respond - and those seconds could be crucial. We know our eye sight tends to deteriorate with age. Age-related deterioration in sight can have a huge impact on your ability to drive safely.”

Vision Express CEO Jonathan Lawson adds: “Around 50% of sight loss is preventable , and an eye test can protect your vision – and your licence, making the roads safer for everyone.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Vision Express .