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Many Eastern European drivers on UK roads have ­undetected health problems and some do not even meet the minimum legal vision standards. That is the damning verdict of Yvonne Williams, managing director of occupational health provider Ability Healthcare, which works with many firms in the haulage and logistics sector such as the Stiller Group.

Williams told MT that Ability Healthcare is detecting concerns such as raised blood pressure or eyesight problems while carrying out pre-placement  assessments of drivers. "Many of them don't meet any vision standards," says Williams. "Employers needs to take responsibility for health - they can't simply rely on the DVLA licensing criteria." Overall, when assessing both UK and foreign drivers, Ability Healthcare needs to intervene in about 18% of cases, says Williams.

"Some of the problems are easily resolved and it is a matter visiting the opticians, while with others it is a matter of referring the driver to a GP for treatment." In a written parliamentary answer in April last year the-then transport secretary Dr Stephen Ladyman said that holders of EC/EEA licences were required to register with the DVLA vocational (LGV/PCV) entitlement to drive, within 12 months of becoming resident here. The registration process aims to ensure that these drivers meet the UK health and conduct standards, adds Ladyman.

But Williams points out that some Eastern European drivers are only staying in the UK for a matter of months  before returning home and then coming back to the UK later as a "new entrant". According to a survey carried out by road safety charity Brake and Specsavers, one in 20 drivers' eyesight was below minimum legal standards. That equates to more than two million drivers on UK roads who are unable to see properly.