Visual function of drivers and its relationship to road traffic accidents in Urban Africa

Godswill Pepple, Adedayo Adio, Godswill Pepple, Adedayo Adio

Abstract

Aim/background: Nigeria has one of the highest mortality rates from Road traffic accidents (RTAs). Prevention is a global priority. This study is aimed at acquiring information for effective policy formulation to improve safety on Nigerian roads. This is a cross sectional descriptive study in which consenting commercial drivers in a Nigerian motor parks were ophthalmically examined after an interview. Data analyzed with EPI-INFO version 6.0 statistical software using Chi square. P value < 0.05 was considered to be significant.

Results: The eyes of 400 commercial drivers were examined. Ages range from 25 to 62 years with mean of 37.8 years (SD ± 9.1) 20% did not undergo any prior driving test and only one third of those who had (n = 120, 30.9%) had a prior eye test. Up to 45.5% (n = 182) had been involved in RTAs with alcohol intoxication and driver fatigue significantly associated. Depressants such as alcohol are commonly used. Visual impairment ((p = 0.46, χ (2) = 0.3, RR = 0.62), visual field defects (p > 0.05, χ(2) = 0.78, RR = 1.25) and color vision defects (p = 0.4, χ (2) = 0.77, RR = 1.23) were not significantly associated with occurrence of RTAs. However fatigue was found to be a predisposing factor in 28% of those who had RTAs.

Conclusion: One out of every two commercial driver has been involved in an RTA in the past in Nigeria. Fatigue while driving should be avoided. Use of depressants while driving should be penalized. Blood alcohol content (BAC) levels should routinely be measured by road safety personnel in Nigeria. Periodic eye exams should be carried out for all commercial drivers before issuing or renewing licenses to drive and treatment for any ophthalmic conditions discovered enforced.

Keywords: Alcohol intake; Driving vision; Nigeria; Port Harcourt; Road safety; Road traffic accidents.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Drivers involved in Road traffic accidents in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Causes of Road Traffic Accidents in 182 of 400 drivers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Causes of monocular blindness among 14 of 400 drivers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

References

    1. Abraham EG. Ocular Status of Commercial Motor Drivers in Uyo Metropolis. May: Fellowship dissertation National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria; 2007.
    1. Adefule AO, Valli N. A. Presbyopia in Nigeria. East Afr Med J. 1983;60(11):766–771.
    1. Adogu OU, IIika AL. Knowledge of and attitude towards road traffic codes among commercial motorcycle riders in anambra state. Nig Postgrad Med J. 2006;13:297–300.
    1. Agunloye O: Simple Vision Test for Driver’s License. Lagos: Federal Road Safety Commission; 1990:9–11. [Chart A & B. Public Education Department Headquarters]
    1. Agunloye O: Guidelines for the National Drivers License Scheme. Lagos: Federal Road Safety Commission; 1990:6–9. [Public Education Department Headquarters]
    1. Asogwa SE. Some characteristics of drivers and riders involved in road traffic accidents in Nigeria. East Afr Med J. 1980;57(6):339–404.
    1. Burg A. Vision and driving a report on research. J Traff Med. 1975;3(2):18–22.
    1. Cashell WGT. Visual Functions in Relation to Road Accidents. UK: Trans Opthalmol Society; 1986. pp. 76–80.
    1. Effiong B. Ocular Status of Taxi Drivers in Enugu. Nov: Fellowship dissertation National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria; 1993.
    1. Erikitola BU. Ocular status of Motor-Park drivers as seen in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State. May: Fellowship dissertation National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria; 1998.
    1. Ezenwa AO. Trends and characteristics of RTA in Nigeria. J Roy Soc Health. 1986;1:27–29. doi: 10.1177/146642408610600111.
    1. Schopper D, Lormand JD, Waxweiler R, editors. Developing policies to prevent injuries and violence: guidelines for policy-makers and planners. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2006.
    1. Facts: vision and driving (homepage on the internet) June 2005 2005. [Available from ]
    1. Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette The Federal Road Safety Commission Decree No. 4. Fed Gov Press Lagos. 1988;7(82):A 813–A 824.
    1. National Road Traffic Regulations. 79. Lagos Nigeria: The Federal Government press; 2004. pp. B 173–B 303.
    1. Guideline for the National Drivers Scheme. Lagos Nigeria: Federal Government Press Lagos; 1990.
    1. Heng K, Hargerten S, Layde P, Craven A, Zhu S. Moderate alcohol intake and motor vehicle crashes : the conflict between health advantage and at-risk use. Alcohol Alcohol. 2006;41(4):451–454. doi: 10.1093/alcalc/agh258.
    1. Johnson GJ. Pterygium and the Prevention of Blindness. London: ICEH; 1984. p. 4.
    1. Kanski JJ. Clinical Ophthalmology-a Systematic Approach. 5. Heinemann Oxford: Butterworth-; 2003. pp. 209–609.
    1. Kyari F, Gudlavalleti MV, Sivsubramaniam S, Gilbert CE, Abdull MM, Entekume G, Foster A, Nigeria National Blindness and Visual Impairment Study Group Prevalence of blindness and visual impairment in Nigeria: the national blindness and visual impairment study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009;50(5):2033–2039. doi: 10.1167/iovs.08-3133.
    1. North RV. The relationship between extent of vision field and driving performance. Ophthal Physio Opt. 1985;5(2):205–210. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-1313.1985.tb00657.x.
    1. Nwosu SNN. Vision survey of government motor vehicle drivers in Oyo State. May: Fellowship dissertation National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria; 1989.
    1. Nwosu SNN. Ocular problem in young adults in rural Nigeria. Int Ophthalmol. 1998;22(5):259–263. doi: 10.1023/A:1006338013075.
    1. Odero W, Khayesi M, Heda PM. Road traffic injuries in Kenya. Inj Control Saf Promot. 2003;10:53–61. doi: 10.1076/icsp.10.1.53.14103.
    1. Oladehinde MK, Adeoye AO, Adegbehingbe BO, Onakoya AO. Visual function of commercial drivers in road accidents in Nigeria. Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2007;11:71–75. doi: 10.4103/0019-5278.34532.
    1. Owsley C, Mcgwin G. Vision impairment and driving. Surv Ophthalmol. 1999;43:535–549. doi: 10.1016/S0039-6257(99)00035-1.
    1. Oyemade A. Epidemiology of road traffic accidents in Ibadan and its environs. Niger Med J. 1973;3(4):174–177.
    1. Road safety Nigeria (homepage on the internet) (Cited 2008 Dec. 10) 2013. Available from
    1. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Driver fatigue and road accidents. A Lit Rev Pos Paper. 2001;1:1–24.
    1. WHO: Categories of Visual Impairment. 10th edition. Geneva: Technical report series; 1984:703. [Strategies for the Prevention of Blindness in National Programs]
    1. Willette RE, Walsh JM, editors. WHO Offset Publication (1983) No. 78. Geneva: World Health Organization: Drugs, driving and traffic safety; 1983. pp. 1–10.
    1. Road Traffic Accident in Developing Countries. Geneva: Report of a WHO study group Tech Rep; 1984. p. 703.

Source: PubMed

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

3
Subscribe