By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE:The inaugural Road Injury Prevention Indaba 2024 was told that Eswatini should consider introducing mandatory eye tests, and periodical driver licence renewals in the ongoing efforts to tackle the rising number of road accidents in the country.

The Indaba, which was successfully organised by the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF)Eswatini, was attended by over 150 delegates for discussions on preventing road crashes.

First to raise the issue was Senior Superintendent Lusito Dlamini from the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) who was one of the panellists, who said as an organisation they would welcome a situation where Parliament would consider making these provisions in the country’s legislation, and that all stakeholders should support it.

He noted that 78 road users died from January to June 2024.

Dlamini noted that of the number 19 were drivers, 20 were passengers, three being cyclist, and 36 were pedestrians.

Dlamini said road traffic accidents for the past two years, being 2022 and 2023; were 6704 and 6828, respectively.

The Manzini region, was identified as the leader in terms of road accidents followed by Hhohho, Lubombo, and then Shiselweni.

“We would be grateful if mandatory eye tests for all drivers every two or five years. That would also be more effective if it went alongside a system for regular license renewals for all drivers on our roads,” he said.

Dlamini said these measures would go a long way in addressing the alarming issue of accidents caused by poor eyesight, colour blindness, and other health-related issues that impair driving.”

Many of the delegates agreed with Dlamini, that many accidents on Eswatini's roads were preventable.

“Poor eyesight, inability to properly read road signs, and failure to judge the distance of oncoming vehicles contribute significantly to the high rate of road crashes.Some drivers, unaware of their colour blindness, struggle with traffic lights and signals, further exacerbating the problem. Additionally, health issues such as untreated medical conditions can impair driving abilities,leading to disastrous consequences”, he said.

On a similar note, Prudence Manyasha,the Head of Office of the CEO in the Road Accident Fund of South Africa, said statistics from the neighbouring state indicated that health challenges contribute to motor vehicle accidents.By adopting a similar, if not more stringent,approach,Eswatini can significantly enhance road safety.

“The RAF is intervening in this area, through the driver wellness programme, and acquired a mobile unit with equipment and medical practitioners to do vital heath test including (blood pressure, diabetes, and others). 

In the main, eye tests are provided and those who are found to be visually impaired are given free prescription spectacles,” Manyasha said.

“From October 2023 to December 2024, about 10,160 eye tests were done, with 898 drivers given prescription spectacles on the spot, 503 drivers found to have more complex eye problems and 2,269 referred for further evaluation.” 

“Due to the vast area to be covered, the RAF has recently acquired two more Mobile units, making the total number three.”

Stephen Podile from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) of South Africa spoke on the importance of allocating more resources in the budgets of the various road safety agencies towards road safety prevention measures, driver training, and proper regulation of driving schools and license issuance processes.

Podile noted that ensuring that drivers receive comprehensive training and that driving schools meet high standards remained crucial for long-term road safety.

“As the slogan of the Indaba declared “Enough is Enough"—it’s time for decisive action to prevent further tragedies on Eswatini’s roads,” Nomsa Dlamini,one of the delegates said.