FRSC, BATMedics Screen 500 Drivers For Vision Problems

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in collaboration with BATMedics, has conducted eye examinations on 500 drivers and motorists in Abuja as part of efforts to improve driver fitness and promote road safety.

The exercise was organised under the National Driver Health and Road Safety Outreach to commemorate World Sight Day 2026.

The outreach, held beside Jabi Park, focused on addressing visual impairment among motorists and its potential contribution to road traffic crashes.

The programme featured free medical screenings, during which beneficiaries received professional eye assessments and appropriate medical advice. Cases requiring further medical attention could also benefit from subsequent treatment and surgical support.

Speaking at the event, FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to shifting road safety from a predominantly enforcement-driven approach to one centred on prevention, early intervention and human well-being.

Mohammed, who was represented by the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Special Duties and External Relations, Ibrahim Bazama, emphasised the importance of good eyesight in ensuring safe driving.

He noted that motorists must be able to identify road signs, pedestrians, traffic signals, vehicles, obstacles and changing road conditions within fractions of a second.

According to him, visual impairment can compromise a driver’s ability to respond promptly to hazards, thereby increasing the risk of road traffic crashes.

The collaboration with BATMedics forms part of broader efforts to promote preventive healthcare among drivers and other road users, particularly those whose daily activities involve operating vehicles.

Also speaking, the Director-General of BATMedics, Ojeje Onimisi, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to supporting initiatives that improve the health, safety and productivity of Nigerians.

Onimisi highlighted the importance of prioritising the health of individuals whose responsibilities place them at the centre of the nation’s transportation system.

The World Sight Day outreach underscores the importance of regular eye examinations and early detection of vision problems as essential components of driver fitness and road safety.

The initiative also reinforces the need for sustained collaboration between road safety authorities and healthcare organisations to reduce preventable crashes and protect lives on Nigerian roads.