Abuja:The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has underscored the critical role that good vision plays in ensuring safer roads, particularly among professional drivers. This emphasis on visual fitness as a preventive measure against road traffic crashes was highlighted at the national inauguration of the FRSC-BATMedics Free Medical Outreach for Vision Improvement Tests and Surgical Interventions.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, FRSC Corps Marshal Malam Shehu Mohammed, represented by Assistant Corps Marshal Ibrahim Mbazama, noted that the outreach aimed to provide vision improvement tests and surgical interventions, especially for professional drivers. The initiative, themed ‘See Clearly, Drive Safely,’ coincided with World Sight Day and was organized in collaboration with BATMedics and Vision Savers Eye Care Centre.
Mohammed pointed out that road safety extends beyond enforcement and involves addressing human, vehicle, and environmental factors contributing to traffic accidents. He emphasized that visual fitness is crucial for safe driving, as it enables drivers to identify road signs, pedestrians, and other hazards promptly. Impaired vision, he added, can compromise driving performance and heighten crash risks, making the outreach a vital road safety intervention.
The medical outreach is designed to offer professional assessments and necessary treatments to drivers with visual challenges. Mohammed expressed satisfaction with the partnership with BATMedics, highlighting the importance of such collaborations in enhancing public health and road safety. He urged drivers to prioritize their health and make use of the outreach’s medical examinations and advice.
The Director-General of BATMedics, Dr. Ojeje Onimisi, encouraged transport workers, tricycle operators, and commercial motorcyclists to undergo regular eye examinations, emphasizing that good vision is crucial for safe driving. Onimisi stressed the significant responsibilities these individuals have in public safety and urged them to act on professional medical advice.
Onimisi also highlighted BATMedics’ commitment to accessible, preventive, and people-centred healthcare. He praised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for its health sector reforms and noted that initiatives like the medical outreach support these efforts by bringing preventive healthcare to communities in need.