Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has ordered accredited hospitals across Dubai that issue occupational health certificates to the drivers of heavy trucks, buses and taxis to specify treatments given to their patients online
The initiative will aim to minimise illness-related accidents and improve driving conditions on Dubai’s roads, according to the RTA.
RTA Licensing Agency director of drivers testing, Jamal Assada, said, “Obliging hospitals to specify the treatment period and the type of treatment is extremely important prior to the issuance of occupational permits to drivers of heavy trucks, buses and taxis, which in turn consolidates the governance systems through setting out procedural controls for the medical test.”
Information such as medical check-ups that measure diabetes and blood pressure, and detect various eyesight-related ailments will be available online, while professional drivers suffering from certain illnesses are required to take the prescribed medical treatment before appearing for retesting.
More than 110,000 drivers were medically tested in Dubai from the Q4 2013 to mid-2016, which resulted in more than 1,400 drivers having their driving licences suspended.
“Stating the type and duration of treatment in the doctor’s prescription will generate safe results towards ensuring a sound driving environment,” said Assada. “This requirement is particularly relevant following the introduction of the unified online system comprising all procedural matters – starting from medical tests, test results up to the final issuance of the occupational permit.”
