Why are accidents on the increase? Many say that it is due to rash driving, not obeying road rules and regulations, bad road conditions and mechanical failure of the vehicle. Why is it so? Every one blames the vehicle or the road. No one thinks of the condition of the driver. It is a sad mistake that no one bothers about the health of drivers. Most of them suffer from diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease due to stress, irregular diet, sleepless nights and mental agony.
A driver identified with diabetic neuropathy (loss of sensation of the legs) or nephropathy (swelling of the legs) due to continuous driving can be a potential hazard to road safety. He is likely to lose his control at the accelerator or brakes at any time. Some drivers who suffer from retinopathy (involving eyesight) cannot tolerate bright light from a vehicle coming from the opposite direction. Any slight fluctuation in the blood sugar level or blood pressure can cause giddiness and the driver may his lose his control at the steering wheel? While government transport drivers are forced to drive continuously from one destination to another much against their will, private operators are careful to engage two drivers on such long trips for them to take turns and relax.
A few young drivers (who are well paid) spend their money liberally on alcohol. At one point of time they become totally alcohol-dependent and develop sudden tremor and neuropathy. Statistics show that about 60 per cent of road accidents are caused by intoxicated driving. This is quite common among lorry and two-wheeler drivers. On festival days, liquor shops are flooded by two-wheeler riders. With the liquor working fast on them, there is no one to monitor their driving.
A friend of mine who is an ENT surgeon tells me that many drivers who go to him for treatment are hard of hearing, caused by the high frequency audio-video systems provided in the bus combined with noise pollution. There are instances of a number of accidents happening at the time of drivers changing cassettes in the audio and video players. Use of cell phones while driving is a known cause of accidents.
One of the possible remedies to this problem is subjecting the drivers to a periodical medical check-up. Their employers should change their job according to their physical condition. Employing two drivers on longer trips will help to avoid accidents caused by stress and fatigue. Regular ‘ambush checks' must be done to eliminate drunken-driving. The punishment must severe as in foreign countries for over-speeding and violation of rules.
As a doctor, I feel sad when I see those who have lost their organs in road accidents and those who for days together lie in bed in a coma or paralysis with brain injury, thus becoming a perennial burden to the family. Road safety not only depends on the drivers but also lies in our hands.
(The writer's email is: mohandas562@gmail.com)