Mumbai: For safety on roads, RTO brings drivers’ vision into focus

Drivers who are diagnosed with vision impairments would be provided with treatments

Amid concerns that the vision impairment of drivers may be a contributing factor to road accidents in the country, the Wadala Regional Transport Office (RTO), as part of its month-long road safety campaign, ‘Sadak Suraksha Jeevan Raksha', screened 326 auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers. Over 100 drivers were found to have vision impairments like cataracts, retinal issues and dryness of the eyes.

In a related development, if all goes well, the state transport commissioner will be introducing mandatory eye testing before issuing licences. Vivek Bhimanwar, state transport commissioner, told mid-day, "We are conducting the eye testing camp for drivers as part of the ongoing Road Safety Month at all RTOs in Maharashtra. It is a fact that driving is affected by vision impairment. Early detection is key."

A team of doctors speaks to a driver at the Wadala RTO on Wednesday

"We have proposed for all RTOs to have an in-house ophthalmologist, who will conduct the mandated eye test for all applicants seeking fresh or renewed driving licenses. The in-house ophthalmologist's findings will be given more weightage than medical certificates from outside," said Bhimanwar. "We have limitations as only 25 per cent of drivers may visit RTOs for some other work. Hence, compulsory eye screening to get a new or renewed licence might help," said the transport commissioner.

Road safety drive

Vinay Ahire, deputy regional transport officer (Eastern Suburbs), Wadala, said, "It was a voluntary programme for drivers aged 20 to 70 years. Drivers who were at the RTO to get their vehicle's fitness certificate or for their licence availed of the free facility." The Road Safety Month began on January 15 and will continue till February 14. Ophthalmologists from LTMG Hospital, Sion, and Shantilal Sanghvi Eye Institute, Wadala, contributed to the screening.

"Of the 326 drivers tested, 17 had early or advanced cataracts, and 31 had issues with the retina. Of the 49 drivers who had long- and short-distance vision issues, 18 had bifocal issues. Those who cannot afford them will be provided with spectacles free of cost," said Ahire.

Dr Anagha Gole, senior resident at the Department of Ophthalmology, LTMG hospital, said that lack of regular eye check-ups and basic safety measures were worrying aspects of the situation. "Safe driving can be enhanced with clear vision. The driver community must understand this. By controlling their blood sugar and hypertension, they could also protect their vision," Dr Gole said.

Drivers' response

Sidharth Kadam, 40, a Chembur resident, said, "I visited the Wadala RTO for my auto rickshaw's fitness certification. I am the sole breadwinner for a family of six and earn Rs 500 to Rs 800 daily. I have been advised to wear spectacles. The ophthalmologists assured me that they would provide the spectacles. I never visited an ophthalmologist as I could not afford it." Ghatkopar resident, Arvind Jaiswal, 40, has been driving a tempo for 12 years. "I have been facing difficulty in reading for the past few months but I ignored it. The ophthalmologists told me that I have low vision and I will need to wear spectacles. I have no problem while driving," Jaiswal said.

Deputy Regional Transport Officer Vinay Ahire made a presentation on ‘Road Accidents and Safe Driving' for hundreds of students at KJ Somaiya College

Suchita Chougale (42), a resident of Parel, rides her two-wheeler to the Dy RTO office, Wadala, where she works as a senior clerk, said, "I am already having spectacles and got myself checked again and fortunately, the number has not changed nor I have any vision issue. Most drivers do not tend to visit any ophthalmologist routinely, unless low vision issues affect them in their day-to-day driving, thereby increasing the risk of causing an accident, which is nothing beyond an act of negligence."

"It was indeed a good initiative by our department head, and many drivers screened, have been diagnosed with numerous underlying impaired vision problems - viz cataract, retinal issues etc, and timely treatment would help them to take corrective steps," said Suchita.

Awareness drive organised at college

On Thursday, Deputy Regional Transport Officer Vinay Ahire made a presentation on ‘Road Accidents and Safe Driving' for hundreds of students at K J Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce. Dr Satyawan Hanegave, vice principal, said, "Over 280 students participated. The deputy regional transport officer highlighted the pros and cons, dos and don'ts of driving, and gave statistics of road accidents."

Dr Hanegave added that the college plans to introduce road safety as part of the curriculum for first-year and second-year Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce students starting June 2024. The Wadala RTO would be working with the college to finalise the curriculum.