Specsavers Corporate Eyecare has revealed that over three quarters of companies (78%) are unaware of the impending 2011 legislation that would change the legal requirement of eye tests for drivers.

New legislation, passed in the EU Parliament in 2006, is set to be introduced to member states in 2011.

The current proposal is that holders of commercial licences will have to have their eyes tested every five years and holders of private licences will be tested every 10 to 15 years. Each member state has until 2013 to translate the directive into national law.

“It is astounding that more than three quarters of companies have not even heard of this new legislation,” said Laura Butler, corporate account manager for Specsavers Corporate Eyecare. “We hope to work with fleet managers to ensure that basic eye tests are implemented for everyone who drives in the course of their work. For everyone’s safety, this should be a priority now, regardless of the date when the actual legislation will come into force”.

The research, conducted among 187 companies, and representing up to 448,000 employees, shows that companies are generally keen to offer an effective eyecare policy, vital for employees who drive in the course of their work. However, 13% do not have an eyecare policy at all.

This could have serious implications under the Corporate Manslaughter Act – of which a 15% of respondents were not even aware of this Act and its repercussions for employers.