Rias and Specsavers join forces to keep an eye on safer driving

• In 2015, Rias paid over £30million to victims involved in large motor claims
• Having regular sight checks could help reduce number of catastrophic motor insurance claims

Today, insurance provider Rias announces a new partnership with Specsavers – giving customers access to free eye tests and discounts on pairs of glasses¹.

In 2015 Rias paid out £34.5 million in claims for large motor accidents (serious injury or fatalities) with 72% of the large losses coming from drivers over the age of 75².  Rias believes that poor eyesight is a big contributor to unsafe driving. 

Government data shows that over 25,000 people are killed or severely injured on UK roads each year³. With 13.8 million people admitting to not having a regular eye test⁴, Rias and Specsavers are calling on people to keep themselves safe on the roads and prevent putting other road users at risk – even if people think their eyesight is fine, or they already have a prescription.

Adam Clarke, Managing Director of Rias, says:  “We are delighted to be working with Specsavers and giving access to free eye tests and discounts on pairs of glasses to our customers. 

“It’s clear for all to see that regular eye-health checkups are an essential and simple thing to take control of, especially if your insurance provider is supporting you with it.  If you’re a regular road user and get behind the wheel of a car, it’s so important – for both yourself and others.” 

Rias has put together some top tips for drivers to help ensure they can reduce the likelihood of having an accident whilst out on the roads. 

Rias’s Top Tips:

• Have regular eye tests to make sure you are able to meet the legal requirements for driving.
• Work on your visual scanning (observation) skills and look further down the road, aiming the eyes high and keeping them moving to help to spot potential dangers on the road earlier.
• Keep checking your mirrors to help rearward awareness and use peripheral vision to spot side turns, junctions and places where roads meet, merge and cross.

Look, think, assess and decide using the safest option at all times. 

Notes:

1. Terms and conditions apply
2. Rias motor claims data – from 2012 - 2016
3. A total of 25,160 people were killed or seriously injured (KSI casualties) in the year ending September 2016, up by 6 per cent from the previous year: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/588773/quarterly-estimates-july-to-september-2016.pdf
4. RNIB and Specsavers State of the Nation Report - Eye Health 2016. YouGov plc online omnibus survey of 10,000 people, July 2016. A regular test is at least once every two years.