DRIVER eyesight is in focus at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare as it supports Road Safety Week (18-24 November).

The awareness week is run by road safety charity Brake and this year the charity is asking people to ‘tune in’ to road safety. This includes asking drivers to turn off mobile phones, not multi-tasking at the wheel, or taking off headphones if biking, running or walking. Specsavers Corporate Eyecare is asking drivers to make sure there are no visual distractions or obstacles to seeing clearly.

Suzanne Randall, corporate account manager for Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, said: ‘We have worked with Brake for several years to promote road safety. This week provides an opportunity for employers to highlight road safety to their staff.

‘Driving is the most dangerous activity that most people perform as part of their working role. Ensuring that the risks are limited wherever possible is the responsibility not only of the individual driver but also their employer. To really “tune in” to road safety we need to banish all distractions, and what is more distracting than not being able to clearly see the road and other road users?’

Advice from Specsavers Corporate Eyecare includes:

Avoid driving in fog unless absolutely necessary

If you must drive:

  • Allow plenty of extra time
  • Check your car lights before you set off and ensure you know how to switch on your fog lights
  • Reduce your speed
  • Use dipped-beam headlights and fog lamps if visibility is reduced
  • Do not ‘hang’ on the rear lights of the car in front of you. This will not allow enough stopping space
  • Do not speed up immediately when visibility improves – the fog may come in bands or patches
  • Do not park on the road in foggy conditions

Rain and snow

  • Both rain and snow reduce visibility. Slow down and use your dipped headlights
  • If you have to clear snow from your car, remember to do so from the front and rear lights as well

Frost

  • In cold weather, never start to drive until your windscreen is fully defrosted
  • Ensure you have adequate antifreeze mixed with your screenwash

Sun

  • Even in winter, keep sunglasses in your car. The low angle of the sun may mean the visor is not adequate to stop the glare. Prescription sunglasses are a good option for wearers of spectacles

General

  • If the conditions are dangerous, do not drive unless your journey is urgent.
  • Let safety take precedence over punctuality

See clearly

  • Ensure your windscreen is smear free
  • Clean headlights regularly
  • If you need glasses to drive, wear them!
  • Keep a spare pair of glasses in your vehicle
  • Have your eyesight checked at least once every two years, or as advised by your optometrist

As part of Road Safety Week, the firm is also running a week of vision-screening days for a number of employers including Allianz, Amey, Computercentre UK Ltd, the Driving Instructors Association’s conference and Mercedes Benz World. Specsavers will carry out a basic sight test for staff on site, and lens cleaner and cleaning cloths will be available free of charge to staff to promote the event.

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