GEORGE NEWS - The health and fitness of scholar transport drivers came under the spotlight this week as 37 drivers underwent health and eye screenings at George High School as part of the Discovery Safe Journeys to School (DSJTS) programme.
The screenings, held on 29 and 30 June, formed part of a partnership between Discovery, Afrika Tikkun and transport company African Express to improve road safety by ensuring drivers transporting school learners and university students are medically fit to perform their duties.
The initiative included health assessments and eye tests, with spectacles provided where needed. The programme also focuses on driver training, telematics technology and road safety awareness.
According to African Express owner Praveen Singh, regular health assessments help identify medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes that could affect a driver's ability to drive safely.
"Eye tests are equally important, ensuring drivers can clearly identify hazards, read road signs and make safe decisions," Singh said. He added that the company has worked with the DSJTS programme for more than a year and encourages its drivers to participate in the screenings.
Scholar transport driver Ben Vyver, who took part in the programme, said knowing his health status gives him peace of mind.
"It helps ensure that you are healthy and fit to drive and, most importantly, that the children in your care travel safely," he said.
The organisers say investing in drivers' health benefits not only the drivers themselves, but also transport operators, parents and learners by contributing to safer scholar transport.
A valid Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) requires drivers to meet prescribed medical standards, making regular health and vision checks an important part of maintaining road safety.
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