Focus on health of commercial vehicle drivers

The Star IN a joint study with the Road Safety Department (JKJR), the Sleep Disorder Society Malaysia (SDSM) found that 30% of bus drivers are affected by sleep disorders.
Its president Dr Muhammad Muhsin Ahmad Zahari said 8% had chronic conditions and needed to be treated first before they could resume driving.
More shocking discoveries would be unearthed if similar studies were conducted on the mental and physical health of those driving lorries, buses and taxis.
Commercial vehicle drivers are required to renew their Goods Driving Licence (GDL) or Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence annually at the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
The renewal form must be stamped and signed by a medical practitioner who has examined the applicant to certify he or she is fit to drive a commercial vehicle.
However, GDL and PSV licences are swiftly renewed at JPJ without the authenticity of the signatures being checked.
It is no surprise if 50% of commercial vehicle drivers fail a stringent medical examination, especially if drug and eye tests are included.
Many of them are overweight or obese and suffer from hypertension, diabetes and other lifestyle diseases.
Many are likely to be dehydrated and constipated for working long hours behind the wheel. Some binge on food and cigarettes during breaks.
If a National Health Service scheme were in place, they would be among the 20% of the population that would gobble up 80% of the expenditure.
If all unhealthy commercial vehicle drivers are taken off the road, our road public transport will be crippled. It will also be unnecessarily cruel to them and their families.
As such, the various authorities such as JKJR, JPJ and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) should institute measures to promote the health of these drivers as part of an overall road safety campaign.
The initiative by SDSM ought to be lauded, and for every driver treated for chronic sleep disorder it is as good as having a time bomb removed from our roads.

Y.S. CHAN,
Kuala Lumpur.