1,000 drivers denied permits on health grounds after tests

PRIVATE CHAUFFEURS WILL SOON HAVE TO UNDERGO MANDATORY MEDICAL FITNESS EXAM

Chauffeurs who fail the mandatory medical test will be stopped from working as drivers from the end of this year. Private chauffeurs will join other categories of professional drivers, including those of heavy vehicles, commercial vehicles and taxis, who must pass a mandatory annual medical test to continue in their jobs.

“We are gradually covering more categories to ensure we expand the safety net. Since a large number of people work as private chauffeurs and a lot of people depend on them for their daily commute, it is important that these drivers are healthy as well,” said Sultan Al Marzouqi, Director of Driver Licensing at RTA’s Licensing Agency.

Around 71,000 drivers have undergone medical tests since September last year, out of which 1,000 were denied permits to work as drivers.

“The medical fitness tests look into certain health aspects such as blood pressure, diabetes, eyesight, heart ailment, epilepsy, psychiatric illness, etc. If the doctors feel that it is risky for a particular person to work as a driver then he is denied a permit to ensure safety of people on roads,” said Al Marzouqi.

Among those who were denied permits, 600 were taxi drivers and 400 were heavy vehicle drivers.

“The rulings differ depending on the severity of the case. In some cases the permits are suspended temporarily as doctors advise a person rest and medication, following which, if the driver’s condition improves, the permit can be renewed,” added Al Marzouqi.

In certain severe cases, the driver’s heavy vehicle licence is cancelled.

Modelled on a similar health risk programme implemented by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the UK, Dubai rolled out the scheme last year to reduce the risks posed by drivers suffering from certain diseases.

“Dubai is the first in the region to implement such a scheme and we want this to be adopted by all the emirates to have its best impact. We have made a proposal to the Ministry of Interior to implement this at a federal level,” said Al Marzouqi.

One-year validity

The tests can be carried out at eight approved centres — DHA, Canadian Hospital, Iranian Hospital, Prime Medical Centre, Dubai Municipality Clinic, Zulekha Hospital, Al Khaleej Hospital and Al Musalla Hospital.

The permit is valid for one year only and has to be renewed every year against a fee of Dh100.

Last year, one person was killed in an accident caused by a driver who lost control of his vehicle following cardiac arrest. The medical permits aim at curbing such instances.