Using a recent position paper published by FESVIAL and the University of Valencia as a valuable point of entry, Essilor is taking action to make vision a priority on road safety agendas by lobbying to evolve European Union driving license requirements as well as enhance the role of vision in driving school programs.

The paper presents global research on the implication of vision in traffic accidents and highlights powerful statistics that underscore the need for political action to reduce risks, such as how 5% to 20% of traffic accidents are either directly or indirectly related to visual problems.

The United Nations recommends that governments ensure good vision for all road users in the improvement of National Road Safety Systems to help achieve road safety-related UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. To support this mandate, Essilor has created a network of vision and road safety partners – including the Spanish Foundation for Road Safety (FESVIAL) and the University of Valencia, recognized as a center of expertise on the importance of vision for safe mobility.

Influencing change with public institutions
Good vision is crucial for road safety, and as part of our Mission, Essilor remains strongly committed to promoting visual health for all road users around the world. This shared goal has led us to collaborate with FESVIAL and the University of Valencia not only to lead advocacy efforts at an international level, but also to develop new research on vision and safe mobility thanks to their expertise in the field.

Essilor along with FESVIAL, the University of Valencia and the Vision Impact Institute joined together to submit the position paper to the European Commission. Using the study as an entry point, we proposed amendments to EU driver license requirements that help minimize risks on the road, such as requiring a visual assessment be performed by a qualified ECP to obtain a driving license; making a visual assessment mandatory to renew a driving license; and including a vision awareness module that promotes simple rules for good vision in driver training manuals.

> Downlaod FESVIAL’s position paper “Visual health and road safety: it’s time for action” position paper
https://www.uv.es/intrastodos/Publicaciones/210113_visual_health.pdf