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CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France—Effective April 1, the call to ensure good vision for all road users in the world is now part of the “ITC Recommendations for Enhancing National Road Safety Systems.” The recommendations were adopted by the governments at the Inland Transport Committee (ITC), the United Nations’ regulatory platform in the field of inland transport. Essilor celebrates this major milestone, an incentive to generalize eye tests and facilitate access to eyecare, and reinforces its commitment toward safe mobility, as a vision care leader and as a donor to the United Nations Road Safety Fund, according to an announcement from Essilor.

This historic achievement builds on the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, held in Stockholm last February, where main representatives of governments, in both public and private sectors called for a precise framework to achieve the United Nations’ road safety-related 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Following the Stockholm declaration, the “ITC recommendations for Enhancing National Road Safety Systems,” represent a major guide toward road safety across the globe. It particularly calls countries to adopt specific rules to ensure appropriate vision for all road users as an important lever to achieve this goal, Essilor said.

With up to 90 percent of the information needed to make safe decisions on the road coming through our eyes, good vision is a critical factor for the safety of drivers, bikers, cyclists and pedestrians of all ages. However, there is still a substantial lack of awareness about the importance of good vision and, access to sustainable eyecare remains limited in large parts of the world, with 1 in 3 people still suffering from uncorrected poor vision.

Therefore, regular vision screenings area crucial step. As announced during the Ministerial lunch at Stockholm, Essilor officially joins the United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) through a $200,000 cash contribution, becoming a UNRSF donor as of May 5, 2020. It is a major milestone following the successful collaboration with the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) which has been promoting the golden rule “Check your vision” for all road users since 2017.

By joining the UNRSF, Essilor reinforces its long-term commitment to contribute to safe mobility across the globe and will continue to innovate for solutions allowing road users to check, correct, protect and enhance their vision. As part of its efforts, and as countries gradually lift their lock down restrictions in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Essilor Group will be launching an international public campaign titled “On the Road again” in June 2020. Driven by the hashtag #MaxVisionMaxSafety, it will encourage drivers, bikers, cyclists and pedestrians to enjoy the recovered mobility safely with optimal vision.

David Navarro, VP Vision & Road Safety at Essilor, said, “In a world where people are preparing to get back on the road in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, the recommendations of the United Nations come at a very timely moment. Along with the fundamental role of good vision for all road users, this set of rules is a real game-changer, enabling countries to adapt their national policies accordingly.

“As a vision care leader and member of the UNRSF, we are thrilled to contribute to safe mobility by boosting awareness, innovation, access to vision tests and vision care everywhere around the globe, in line with our mission of improving lives by improving sight,” he said.