Eye tests for Lagos bus drivers

Lagos is famous for its large yellow buses

By Mannir Dan Ali in Lagos

The authorities in Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, have offered free eye tests to the city's commercial drivers who are notorious for reckless driving.

The measure according to an official is to try and reduce the number of accidents blamed on drivers who may be short sighted.

At the moment even a blind person can be issued with a driving licence if he or she can pay hefty fees to middlemen

Lagos state governor Bola Tinubu, who himself wears glasses, launched the campaign on Thursday and a number of commercial bus drivers turned up for tests.

Commercial drivers, particularly those of the yellow painted big buses popularly known as molues, are often blamed for accidents on Lagos roads.

The new measure is expected to encourage drivers to have eye checks and purchase spectacles if needed.

"We believe that if the drivers can see better, it should cut accidents down. If not, it is just bad driving," a state official told AFP news agency.

Last year the governor offered free eye tests and spectacles for the state's pensioners.

Corruption

However, the government may also need to crack down on corruption which makes it possible for anyone to obtain a driving licence.

At the moment even a blind person can be issued with a driving licence if he or she can pay hefty fees to middlemen.

Some drivers are also accused of driving under the influence of drugs.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corporation conduct spot checks on drivers.

But many of the commercial buses, especially the molues which are not roadworthy ply the roads.

Last year the Lagos state government introduced a compulsory road worthiness certificate, to check the incidence of commercial vehicles which are not road worthy.