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Optometric Management

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LEADING OFF: EssilorLuxottica and Michelin Commit to Road Safety

By: Jennifer Kirby, managing editor
Optometric Management August 1, 2022 Vol 57, Issue August 2022 Page(s): 14

In late June, EssilorLuxottica and tire company Michelin announced its support of and commitment to the United Nations’ (UN) High-Level Meeting on Global Road Safety via the “Action for Good Vision on the Road. Together for Safer Roads” press conference, held at the Delegates Dining Room at the United Nations, in the UN’s headquarters, in New York City.

“…Like buckling up your safety belt and wearing a helmet, it is important to check your vision, protect your eyes from glare, wear your prescribed glasses on the road: simple rules can save lives,” said Jean Todt, the UN’s Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, during the press conference.

STATISTICS FROM THE EXECUTIVE PANEL

In addition to Mr. Todt, an executive panel — including David Navarro, vice president of the Vision on the Road Group Plan at EssilorLuxottica, Alexis Garcin, president and CEO of Michelin North America, and Dave Reeves, vice president of Field Operations for LensCrafters (part of EssilorLuxottica) — provided statistics on driving, and outlined the steps for supporting road safety.

Regarding statistics, Mr. Reeves noted 70% of American drivers won’t drive at night due to poor vision, and 66% of Americans said they are annoyed by the glare caused by natural sunlight while driving.

Alexis Garcin, of Michelin North America; Dave Reaves, of LensCrafters; Jean Todt, of the United Nations; Rick Gadd, of EssilorLuxottica; and David Navarro of EssilorLuxottica pose at the road safety event.Photo courtesy of Mike Vitelli
Alexis Garcin, of Michelin North America; Dave Reaves, of LensCrafters; Jean Todt, of the United Nations; Rick Gadd, of EssilorLuxottica; and David Navarro of EssilorLuxottica pose at the road safety event.Photo courtesy of Mike Vitelli

PROMOTING SAFETY

In terms of steps, LensCrafters has joined forces with Michelin to promote the “Summer of Safety: Road Trip Tips,” which encourages drivers to check their tire pressure and treads once a month; rotate tires regularly; keep proper vehicle alignment; and prioritize their vision. Additionally, LensCrafters’ network of stores will market the “Action for Good Vision on the Road. Together for Safer Roads” campaign, emphasizing how managed vision care and independent doctors can play an important role in elevating the awareness of good vision and driving among patients and consumers.

To further stress the importance of good vision when driving, press conference attendees were invited to use the EssilorLuxottica Vision-S 700 Refraction Station, which showed a virtual reality simulation of driving with and without polarized lenses. OM

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