Health problems facing drivers

Whenever a disastrous accident occurs on the Bangladesh roads and highways, fingers are generally pointed at the drivers. The average people appear to take it for granted that recklessness in driving is the culprit. It dawns on few people that health complications of the drivers could also prompt major accidents. Those may involve collisions between two buses, or those between a long-haul coach and a smaller vehicle like a private car. In spite of the general trend of blaming drivers for road accidents, a grim reality vis-à-vis drivers cannot be overlooked. It comprises the fact that majority of the drivers occupy their seats in public vehicles with a lot of health complications. Contrary to the common belief that these drivers suffer from various types of 'heart diseases', they mainly fall victim to high blood pressure, diabetes, eyesight problems and smoking-related lung complications.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has focused on these health problems of professional drivers in a recent campaign on their primary health check-ups. The authorities carried out the campaigns at various bus terminals and the BRTA training centres. The road transport movement watchdog, also in charge of road safety in the country, found that 50 to 70 per cent drivers continued to suffer from vision complications, and health issues related to smoking. These facts were revealed at special health camps organised to mark the National Road Safety Day. The health check-up camps were arranged by BRTA, in collaboration with Ahsania Mission, Lions Club and Rotary Club. Apart from Dhaka, the vital camps were also organised in Cumilla and Rajshahi. Those were held to coincide with the National Road Safety Day observed every year on October 22.

While at the wheel of a local city bus, few drivers in the past would be seen smoking. If any compulsive smoker could muster the courage to light a cigarette, in the face of angry protests they had to douse their cigarettes. What prompted the passengers to protest the drivers' smoking bid was the fear of a fire-related blast or a blaze. The scenario has changed completely. Drivers with the right hand placed on the steering wheel, the other being used for smoking is a common scenario these days. The yesteryear's protesting voices have fallen silent. Most of them now look at the drivers in utter nonchalance. Coming to health hazards, the average smoker-drivers seem to be ignorant about the diseases related to tobacco smoke. According to the findings of BRTA health camps, among the 249 drivers examined, 47 had blood-related problems, 109 had problems linked to smoking, and 69 had issues with random blood sugar (RBS).

A most worrying aspect of the picture is even a lot of senior drivers are not aware of the fact that they have already fallen victim to one or another disease. Besides, many do not know that thanks to their job nature, they remain vulnerable to a number of tobacco-related physical ailments. The survey has brought to the fore a disturbing fact. It is related to many drivers' poor eyesight, which may lead to catastrophic accidents on the city roads, as well as on highways. The camps examined the eyesight of 289 drivers. They have come up with the result that 164 drivers have vision problems, with 59 suffering from other eye-related complications. The cataract problem was detected in some drivers. Blurry eyesight caused by dust and toxic agents is unanimously blamed for road accidents. This has emerged as a distressing aspect upon examining the eyes of the professional drivers at the health camps.

As most of the road drivers are not adequately literate, and ignorant about different kinds of diseases, they run the risk of falling ill all of a sudden. In order to avert these emergencies, regular health check-ups emerge as an imperative. Moreover, the drivers and helpers themselves are not much aware of their health conditions. Many ailments like high blood pressure, RBS issues or lung complications remain latent in many of the bus staff. At the Saidabad Bus Terminal in Dhaka, nine out of 42 drivers undergoing tests have been found to have high blood pressure. RBS and smoking-related ailments continue to affect many without their clear knowledge. Terrible accidents are normally blamed on reckless driving. Few give serious thoughts to the various types of illness of these people, mostly youths, who operate the buses. Most of them are engaged in duties without sufficient rest. Thus overwork and fatigue-related ailments might be singled out as two dominant cases among the drivers.

Loss of sound sleep for days together plays a significant role in the frequency of accidents on roads, especially on highways, experts observe. Meanwhile, the BRTA chairman has observed at a health check-up event at the Diabari training centre, Dhaka, that out of 102 drivers examined, 23 had high blood pressure, 26 suffered from RBS issues, and 56 were diagnosed with smoking related hazards. These drivers apart, 48 out of 112 drivers at the Diabari centre were found to have eye-sight problems. A total of 22 were suffering from eye-related issues.

At the Saidabad Bus Terminal in Dhaka, nine out of the 42 per cent drivers examined were found to have high blood pressure. Compared to it, over 70 per cent have been found to be suffering from vision problems. The result follows the eye examinations of 45 drivers. Given the many afflictions besetting the drivers' health, the conscientious sections of society may not feel like blaming them for all road accidents. Faulty and rundown vehicles, wrong road planning, jaywalking etc are also considered culprits. Besides, a section of reckless drivers tarnishes the image of the drivers' community.

[email protected]