The RAF embarks on eyesight programme in Mbombela

As so many truck, taxi and bus accidents have plagued Ehlanzeni on the busy N4, the Road Accident Fund (RAF) chose to strategically intervene by offering free health checks to drivers of public transport and trucks in order to discover conditions that can impair their ability to drive.

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The RAF funded a mobile clinic with dispensing nurse and an optometrist to test and to prescribe driving glasses on the spot at no cost to the drivers.
This was part of celebrating Transport Month, by making sure that all public transport drivers are fit to transport people and minimise accidents.Motorists, truck drivers and freight drivers were tested and all those found with underlying conditions that could impair driving, were referred to hospitals.

The senior manager of road safety of the RAF, Sphamandla Gumbi, said it is increasing focus on health as it is a major contributor to road crashes.
“Statistics show that people with visual impairments and those who have chronic health conditions like epilepsy, diabetes and high blood pressure, account for a significant portion of accidents. With this initiative we hope to encourage drivers to undergo routine testing and follow any treatment recommendations made by the clinics. The frequency of accidents can decrease if all drivers get regular check-ups and take breaks when travelling long distances,” he said.

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Gumbi said they are also promoting road safety education with specific focus on long distance drivers and passengers of public transport.

“As the festive season is upon us, there will be a lot of public transport embarking on long distances, and our aim is to educate all the drivers about safety in order to avoid accidents during that time. We are promoting seat belt wearing by both drivers and passengers as an important safety measure in cases of unforeseeable incidents,” he concluded.