In a pathbreaking initiative, Beawar collector Mahendra Khadgawat launched Safe Eyes Safe Highway campaign to identify truck drivers and conductors having weak eye sight.
Khadgawat also lined up doctors and medical staff to provide free spectacles to drivers and conductors for correcting their vision.
The medical staff also checked blood pressure and diabetes, which often induce lethargy resulting in higher reaction time and ultimately accidents on roads.
“The campaign started on December 31, 2024 and till February 19, we checked health parameters including eye sight, blood pressure and diabetes test of around 3000 drivers and conductors. Over 1200 drivers were found with weak eye sight.
As many as 240 were having high blood pressure sure while 212 were found to be suffering from diabetes. We have them free treatment and advised them to follow the regimen,” said Khadgawat.
60% accidents due to poor eyesights
A study shows that 60% of the road accidents on highways are due to poor eyesight or impaired vision of drivers.
“Apart from that even high blood pressure and diabetes contribute to poor reflexes. We need to get drivers checked up regularly for blood pressure and sugar level. They have to drive for longer hours and high blood pressure and high sugar level induce sleep and lethargy resulting in accidents,” Khadgawat said.
The campaign has brought health awareness among drivers and conductors. They are now voluntarily coming for check up and pledging for regular check up.
“This initiative will result in drastic reduction in number of accidents occurring on highways,” he said.
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