A total of 4,896 commercial and private vehicle drivers were denied driver’s licences last year due to poor eyesight, according to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
Stephen Attuh, Director of Corporate Affairs at the DVLA, revealed that medical examinations found the affected applicants to be suffering from various vision impairments, including refractive errors, glaucoma, and cataracts.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio’s Nyankonton Mu Nsem, Attuh emphasized that the strict enforcement of vision standards is part of ongoing, broader regulatory reforms aimed at reducing road traffic accidents and improving safety across the country’s road network.
“Poor vision remains a major contributor to road accidents, making it increasingly important to raise awareness among drivers,” Attuh said, explaining the rationale behind the enforcement of time-limited licence renewals.
He noted that while the initial number of applicants failing the vision test was higher than 4,896, several drivers were subsequently cleared and granted licences after taking corrective measures, such as obtaining prescription glasses.
Attuh further highlighted the collaborative efforts between transport and law enforcement agencies, stating that the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service has a legal mandate to check that motorists meet all necessary health requirements on the road.
Under current regulations, if a driver is flagged by law enforcement as medically unfit to operate a vehicle, the DVLA is legally required to revoke that individual’s driving privileges.
He stated that individuals with poor eyesight have no business driving, as they pose a danger not only to themselves but to all other road users.
Consequently, he emphasised that the DVLA remains committed to ensuring that only qualified individuals are granted licenses to drive on our roads.
According to him, the law mandates license renewal every two years—a measure designed to ensure that only fit drivers remain on the road. While some drivers view a denied renewal due to vision issues as a punishment, he clarified that the DVLA, as the institution responsible for licensing, cannot risk approving individuals with eye-related problems, as doing so would ultimately endanger public safety.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
