FRSC conducts medical screening for Owo drivers to curb crashes
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Federal Road Safety Corps has conducted a free medical screening for commercial drivers in Owo, Ondo State, as part of efforts to reduce road crashes caused by undiagnosed health conditions.
The exercise, organised by the Owo Unit Command on Wednesday, featured blood pressure and blood sugar tests for members of the Tipper and Quarry Association as well as the Block Moulders’ Association to promote safer driving.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Unit Commander, CRC Oladele Oyeyemi, urged drivers to prioritise regular medical check-ups, saying a driver’s health is as important as the roadworthiness of a vehicle.
He said, “Drivers must always know their health status before embarking on any trip. Good health, adequate rest and fitness are essential to safe driving.”
Medical experts from the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, including Dr. Onome and Pharmacist Ogunjemiyo, carried out the tests and offered participants health counselling, advising those with abnormal results to seek prompt medical attention.
The FRSC also sensitised participants on the dangers of driving with untreated medical conditions, stressing that poor health could impair alertness, judgement and reaction time, thereby increasing the risk of crashes.
The corps said the outreach formed part of its preventive road safety strategy and expressed commitment to sustaining similar health programmes for commercial drivers and other road users.
In their remarks, the chairmen of the Tipper and Quarry Association, Alhaji Apenuwa Suleimon, and the Block Moulders’ Association, Mr. Oladimeji Gani, appreciated the FRSC for extending its road safety campaign to include the health and welfare of professional drivers.
