Are you a healthy driver?

Between September 2012 and October 2013, a total of 33,368 applicants for drivers’ license in Lagos State underwent free eye test. While 31,511 had normal vision for driving 1,839 had various visual challenges and where advised to obtain the appropriate corrections. 35 of the applicants had monocular vision (one eye) while seven had very poor […]

Between September 2012 and October 2013, a total of 33,368 applicants for drivers’ license in Lagos State underwent free eye test. While 31,511 had normal vision for driving 1,839 had various visual challenges and where advised to obtain the appropriate corrections. 35 of the applicants had monocular vision (one eye) while seven had very poor vision on both eyes.
The result of the visual acuity test for driver’s license applicants shows that the prevalence of various ocular abnormalities is on the increase and necessary steps should be taken by to checkmate this increase so as to reduce the risk of road incidence due to visual challenges. Dr Chika Ole Kalu of Exxelli Vision Limited is the specialist behind this novelty which is at no cost to the applicants
I know that I once treated this couple of months on this page. However, I am compelled to treat this again for certain reasons. The first is that from next week, the usual Christmas rush will begin and there is the need to ensure that those who are planning to travel take all the necessary safety precautions. The second reason is the exposure I got recently when Keystone bank partnered with the Federal Road safety Corps in kick starting a health/eye screening codenamed, “Think Road Safety: Save Lives” The campaign according to the bank is aimed at taking public health and safety awareness to the doorsteps of commercial transport drivers emphasizing the challenges of lifestyle and health risk factors associated with commercial driving. The campaign will include screening of drivers, particularly, body mass index (BMI); blood pressure; fasting/random blood sugar and blood liquid profile levels. It will also deal with visual acuity checks as well as automated refraction, which would strongly underpin almost every medical diagnosis of the several important chronic diseases while free eye glasses will also be provided as corrections.
In a paper by Dr Ubiame O, he cited a study conducted by the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of UTAH on the testing for high levels of cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes in commercial drivers. Out of a population of 799 commercial drivers, the study reported that 11.5percent had diabetes; 45.5percent had hypercholesterolemia while 41.2percent had hypertension. He warned that’’ chronic diseases can affect driving by affecting cognitive neurological functions; from dizziness, dark flashes, to completely alteration of consciousness e.g. hyperglycaemic coma”
He x-rayed commercial drivers’ lifestyle to include physical inactivity/exercise caused by inadequate access to facilities for exercise, poor nutrition and diet, social vices such as smoking and increase in intake of alcohol/drugs, poor work environment, noting that sleep and rest needs are often met in the vehicle in addition to limitations in access to basic healthcare. These lifestyles, he warned, has grave consequences especially in the area of promoting sound health which is crucial for drivers especially commercial drivers who spend lengthy hours on the wheel.
The University of Utah report got me really worried. Could you ponder on what the finding would look like if such a test were to be conducted in our clime among commercial drivers who account for 30percent road traffic crashes and 40percent deaths? The result will be quite revealing especially because of the socio economic challenges that pervades. The specialist summed up by stating that since the working conditions and a workers personal habits and lifestyle choices are known to influence their general health, these can have an impact on performance, adding that the health of a driver has significant ripple effect on society thus underscoring the need for every driver should take health matters seriously.
His views were corroborated by the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka who equally noted that research has confirmed that poor eyesight contributes significantly to road traffic crashes. His worry is that not many drivers would subject themselves to eye tests and not many would see the need to do so even as majority take undue pride in seeing that they can drive without the use of eye glasses. This, he said, is an illusion we must not allow to thrive in our land as it undermines our road safety efforts. The FRSC boss said that it was against this backdrop that the Corps made eye test an integral part of the process for the acquisition of the new driver’s license stating that Compulsory eyes test is one condition that applicants for the new driver’s license must fulfill in order to determine their visual acuity before their licenses are issued. We insisted on this because we realize the nexus between driver’s good eyesight and the success of the campaign for safe driving and crash-free roads.
As we all prepare for another period of festivities, you much resist the temptation of thinking like an average commercial driver who deludes himself that he does not really need a specialist unless it becomes extremely critical. Ensure you confirm your health status before you travel because I just did mine. Ensure you patronize operators whose health status is sound. We must change our attitude to keep road crashes down this season.