Dr Taiwo Adekanmbi, a Medical Doctor, from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has said no fewer than 30 per cent of tanker drivers nationwide were hypertensive.
Adekanmbi disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday in Lagos at the ongoing national training for tanker drivers organised by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), a branch of NUPENG.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the PTD branch of NUPENG commenced training of no fewer than 1,500 of its members on Jan. 17 in its efforts to reduce the rate of accidents on the highways.
According toAdekanmbi, majority of the tanker drivers are not taking proper care of their health.
“About 30 per cent of the tanker drivers are hypertensive and majority of them do not go for medical check-ups.
“This factor has contributed to the high rate of crashes on our roads involving tanker drivers who are suffering from poor eye-sight and fatigue,” he said.
Adekanmbi who was one of the facilitators at the training advised tanker drivers to always go for routine medical checkups.
He said that routine medical checkups would enable the drivers know their health status before embarking on any journey.
Also, Mr Ajayi Michael, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) commended the organisers saying the training would have positive impact on the attitudes of the drivers.
The training would also enlighten the drivers on safety and how they could relate with other road users.
“The training is one of the best things that can happen to the tanker drivers.
“Majority of them see themselves as kings on the road without considering other road users.
“The programme will help reduce avoidable crashes usually caused by tanker drivers on our roads.
“We taught them what to do before, during and after every trip.
“ A good driver must have enough rest before embarking on the journey and always obey traffic rules while on the road.’’
Michael said that no fewer than 1,500 drivers would undergo the 15-day training.
“ I think if 1,500 drivers participate in the exercise successfully, it will reduce the carnage and fatalities on our roads to its barest minimum,” he said.