Road Safety Awareness week initiative sees one in five referred

One-in-five drivers who had an eye exam on mobile sight testing unit as part of a collaborative initiative between Vision Express and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) during Road Safety Week were referred to their GP.

As part of the annual awareness week, which took place on 23–29 November, the multiple teamed up with the RHA to offer free sight tests to motorists and HGV drivers via its Vision Van at service stations along five of the UK's busiest roads.

Reporting on the week, 72% of those who underwent a 30-minute examination required a new prescription.

CEO of Vision Express, Jonathan Lawson, said: "Five million drivers acknowledge driving with less than perfect vision and road crashes caused by poor driver vision are estimated to cause 2900 casualties and cost £33m in the UK per year."

Reflecting on the #EyeTestsSaveLives campaign, Mr Lawson added: "We have been overwhelmed by the positive impact of the campaign. Our Vision Van was extremely well attended at the service station and truck stops. with many professional drivers commenting on how convenient the Vision Van was for them."

As part of the part initiative, members of the RHA were encouraged to access discounted vision care services and products at Vision Express practices across the UK.

CEO of the RHA, Richard Burnett, said: "Working with Vision Express is already proving to be a real success with many of our members having their eyes tested at the Vision Van or opting to have one soon."