Published: 11:41 PM, 30 October 2026
Vision screening should be part of driving license test: State Minister
State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Division and Ministry of Railways Habibur Rashid on Thursday stressed the need for regular vision screening and healthcare for professional drivers, particularly during the issuance and renewal of driving licences, to ensure safer roads.
"When a driver takes the steering wheel, the lives of hundreds of passengers depend on them. Therefore, ensuring a driver has clear vision is not just about helping one individual; it is about safeguarding the lives of countless passengers," he said, UNB reports.
The state minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a National Road Safety Day 2026 programmeorganised by VisionSpring Bangladesh at Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel under its "See to Be Safe" initiative.
Emphasising the importance of driver health alongside infrastructure development, law enforcement and traffic management, Habib said road safety was directly linked to human lives, public safety and the country's economic progress.
He said compliance with traffic laws, improved driving skills and adequate rest for drivers must also be prioritised.
"Building safer roads requires collective efforts from the government, transport owners' and workers' organisations, and partner institutions," he said, adding that he had also undergone an eye examination and received a pair of glasses through VisionSpring's initiative.
The programme featured a presentation on VisionSpring's mission and project progress, a session on the importance of clear vision for road safety and a panel discussion titled "Promoting Road Safety Through Better Vision".
The panel included representatives of the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC), Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA).
ShahrozJalil, project director of VisionSpring, facilitated the discussion.
Speaking at the event, MishaMahjabeen, managing director of VisionSpring Bangladesh, said more than 20 million people in Bangladesh experienced vision problems due to a lack of access to necessary eyeglasses, including a significant number of drivers.
According to VisionSpring, its "See to Be Safe" programme had screened more than 30,000 drivers and transport-sector workers in Bangladesh and provided eyeglasses to more than 24,000 people who needed vision correction as of September 2026.
The programme was launched in Bangladesh with a two-year target of screening 50,000 bus and truck drivers and providing 30,000 pairs of eyeglasses.
Special guests at the event included Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr Mohammed ZiaulHaque, Bangladesh Road Transport Owners-Workers Coordination Council Chief Coordinator Advocate ShamsurRahmanShimulBiswas, and representatives of key transport-sector organisations.
VisionSpring is a global social enterprise that works to expand access to affordable eyeglasses.
