Commercial drivers urged to seek regular medical care

Commercial drivers have been advised to seek regular medical check-ups at approved health centres to be informed of their health status for safe driving.

This was announced when Vivo Energy Ghana, the Shell licensee, together with its transporters, namely J. K. Horgle, S.O Frimpong and J. K. Ahiadome Transports, with support from the Doctors for Road Safety (DFRS), National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), Ghana Red Cross Society and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) launched a wellness and road safety education programme dubbed ‘Fit²Drive’ for commercial drivers in Accra.

The Fit²Drive Road Safety Campaign, among other activities will educate, sensitise and screen commercial drivers at selected bus terminals in Accra and Tema for basic occupational health conditions associated with their work to help reduce road traffic accidents.

Launching the programme, the Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana, Mr. Ebenezer Faulkner commented on the increase in road traffic accidents and advised drivers to be sensitive to their health conditions and seek appropriate medical attention for safe driving.

“Among the many reasons attributed to road traffic accidents by health professionals is the failing health of drivers.

Chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes and their complications such as strokes, heart attacks and increased fatigue are direct risk factors for road safety accidents as they lower the productivity of drivers. In order to avoid these, let us be sensitive to the health of our drivers and encourage them to seek regular and timely medical attention to avert any unforeseen health failures on the road,” he advised.

The Executive Director of the NRSC and the Special Guest of Honour, Ing. May Obiri-Yeboah charged the drivers to take regular rests to regain their energy before embarking on their next trip. She further urged them to comply with road safety regulations to avoid any crashes on the road.

“Some of our drivers do not rest at all due to the desire to meet their daily sales targets set by their car owners. Today, I want to encourage you to rest after long hours of driving and stop self-medication. If you fall sick, remember to visit any authorised health facility for thorough medical care. These are key to ensuring that both drivers and pedestrians are safe on the road,” she said.

The Honourable Member of Parliament for Ledzekuku Krowo Constituency and a medical doctor, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, pointed out chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes as the primary cause of health failures among Ghanaians. He insisted that drivers should go for regular check-ups and health screening to avoid further complications.

Following the launch, a team of health professionals from Doctors for Road Safety screened and counseled commercial drivers at the Tema Station in Accra.