Understanding the link between road accidents and poor eyesight
In Bangladesh, road accidents are often caused by drivers with poor vision, an unseen but crucial factor behind the rising number of injuries and deaths
Road accidents in Bangladesh have escalated to alarming levels. Approximately 25,000 lives are lost in road accidents every year in Bangladesh, according to recent data published by the Bangladesh Jatri Kallyan Samiti.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) revealed that more than 5,000 people died in road accidents in the year 2023 alone. Countless others are left injured or disabled.
While road accidents are on the rise, vision health has an often-overlooked connection to this growing crisis. Many of these accidents stem from the impaired vision of drivers, a hidden but critical factor contributing to the increasing number of fatalities and injuries on our roads.
A hidden danger
Poor traffic management, weak enforcement of traffic laws, and a surge in untrained drivers are the usual suspects behind this dire situation on our roads.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
However, what often goes unnoticed is the impact of vision impairment among drivers, particularly those operating buses, trucks, and auto rickshaws, that seem to have taken control over the streets and even highways across the country.
What is a big concern is that many drivers in Bangladesh suffer from uncorrected vision problems, such as cataracts, refractive errors, and other eye conditions that significantly reduce their ability to see clearly.
The result is a huge risk of accidents, as these drivers struggle to navigate the chaotic traffic, read signs, and react in time to avoid collisions. While the government has policies requiring eye tests for obtaining or renewing driving licences, these are often not enforced, leaving a dangerous gap in ensuring that drivers have the necessary visual acuity to operate vehicles safely.
The path ahead
Addressing this critical issue requires a multi-faceted approach. Eye health needs to be integrated into the broader conversation about road safety in Bangladesh. Currently, there is no widespread mandatory eye screening for professional drivers, despite the fact that such measures could save lives.
Ensuring that drivers meet a minimum standard of vision acuity is not only a public health necessity but also a key road safety intervention. The government must take immediate steps to implement regular vision screening for bus, truck, and autorickshaw drivers.
These tests should be mandatory, not just for obtaining a new driver's licence but also for renewing existing licences.
While the government has policies requiring eye tests for obtaining or renewing driving licences, these are often not enforced, leaving a dangerous gap in ensuring that drivers have the necessary visual acuity to operate vehicles safely.
Given that policies for eye tests already exist but are often ignored, it is crucial to ensure that enforcement is rigorous and consistent. Traffic authorities should collaborate with eye health professionals to conduct frequent checks, particularly for commercial drivers who are on the roads for extended periods.
Special attention should be given to rural areas, where access to eye care is often limited. To reach drivers in remote areas, mobile eye clinics could be deployed to offer free or low-cost vision screenings and distribute corrective lenses where necessary.
Such initiatives can also raise awareness about the importance of eye health among the general population. The government and civil society organisations should launch extensive public awareness campaigns that highlight the importance of eye health for drivers. These campaigns can educate drivers about the risks of untreated eye conditions and the importance of regular check-ups.
Collaborating with transport unions can ensure wider compliance with vision health standards. Unions can play a critical role in advocating for the health of their members and ensuring that drivers undergo regular eye tests.
Offering subsidised or free eye care for drivers, particularly those in lower-income brackets, can help remove financial barriers to getting the necessary treatment. This would ensure that cost does not prevent drivers from maintaining optimal vision.
Although policies requiring eye tests exist in Bangladesh, their implementation is inconsistent. Strengthening the oversight of licensing authorities and ensuring strict adherence to these policies is essential. A robust monitoring system should be put in place to guarantee that all drivers meet the required vision standards.
In the context of addressing the growing eye health crisis, it is crucial for the government to prioritise collaboration with the many international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and local NGOs actively working in the eye health sector to integrate their services into the national healthcare system.
Together they can provide joint training programmes for healthcare workers, creating mobile eye clinics, and expanding public awareness campaigns on the importance of vision health.
For decades, INGOs like Sightsavers, The Fred Hollows Foundation, and Orbis International, alongside local NGOs, have been at the forefront of eye health initiatives, conducting vision screenings, providing free cataract surgeries, and delivering essential eye care services to underserved communities.
As we commemorate World Sight Day, we need to prioritise eye health in road safety more than ever. The government's commitment to addressing this issue could significantly reduce the number of road accidents.
The path ahead is long, but with collective effort, we can ensure that every driver has the visual capacity to navigate safely, protecting not only their lives but also the lives of those around them. Vision health is not a luxury; it is a fundamental part of ensuring a safe and prosperous future for all.
Ayon Debnath is a development practitioner and currently working with Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind-Sightsavers as campaign adviser in the capacity of a global staff.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
