Online Desk: Regular vision screening and access to corrective eyeglasses for professional drivers should become an integral part of Bangladesh’s road safety strategy, State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Habibur Rashid Habib has said, highlighting the importance of clear eyesight in protecting passengers and preventing road accidents.He made the call at a stakeholder engagement and advocacy programme organised by VisionSpring Bangladesh on the occasion of National Road Safety Day 2026 at Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel under its ‘See to Be Safe’ initiative.The programme brought together government officials, transport-sector representatives, development partners and road safety stakeholders to explore ways to expand access to vision screening and corrective eyeglasses for professional drivers.Addressing the event as the chief guest, Habibur Rashid said road safety required more than improved infrastructure, traffic management and law enforcement, stressing that the physical fitness and health of drivers, particularly their eyesight, deserved equal attention.“When a driver takes the steering wheel, the lives of hundreds of passengers depend on them. Ensuring that a driver has clear vision is not just about helping one individual; it is about safeguarding the lives of countless passengers,” he said.Sharing his personal experience, the state minister said he had undergone an eye examination and received a pair of glasses through VisionSpring's initiative.He suggested introducing regular vision screening, alongside other necessary health checks, during the issuance and renewal of driving licences.He also stressed compliance with traffic laws, improved driving skills and adequate rest for drivers, calling for coordinated efforts involving the government, transport owners' and workers' organisations and development partners to make roads safer.The issue has gained significance as uncorrected vision problems among drivers can affect their ability to identify road signs, judge distances and respond to unexpected situations, increasing risks for passengers and other road users. At the event, VisionSpring Bangladesh Managing Director Misha Mahjabeen 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 professional drivers."Poor vision is one of the risk factors contributing to road accidents. Therefore, regular vision screening and access to appropriate eyeglasses for drivers must be prioritised to ensure road safety," she said.She said VisionSpring had been working in Bangladesh since 2006 and had provided reading glasses to five million people so far.The organisation's objective was not limited to improving individual eyesight but also included contributing to safer roads by expanding access to essential eye care services among professional drivers and transport workers, she added. According to VisionSpring, its 'See to Be Safe' programme had screened more than 30,000 drivers and transport-sector workers across Bangladesh by September 2026. Of them, more than 24,000 people received eyeglasses after being identified as needing vision correction. The programme was launched with a two-year target of screening 50,000 bus and truck drivers and distributing 30,000 pairs of eyeglasses.The event featured presentations on VisionSpring's mission and project progress, followed by discussions on the relationship between clear vision and road safety.A panel discussion titled 'Promoting Road Safety Through Better Vision' brought together representatives of key government agencies and transport organisations.The panellists included Misha Mahjabeen, Managing Director of VisionSpring Bangladesh; Md Humayun Kabir Khan, General Secretary of Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation; Md Saiful Alam, Secretary General of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association; Mir Ahmed Tarikul Omar, Chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation; Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority; and Mohammad Mashiur Rahman, Executive Director of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority.The discussion was facilitated by Shahroz Jalil, Project Director of VisionSpring. Dr Mohammed Ziaul Haque, Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division, and Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, MP and Chief Coordinator of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners-Workers Coordination Council, were among the special guests.The programme concluded with an open stakeholder discussion and recognition of contributing organisations, with participants calling for stronger collaboration to incorporate eye health into the country's broader road safety framework.The initiative comes at a time when road safety remains a major public concern in Bangladesh, where thousands of people depend on buses and trucks for daily travel and livelihoods.While investment in roads, bridges, traffic management and enforcement is essential, the event highlighted another important aspect of preventing accidents: ensuring that those behind the steering wheel can see clearly.Making regular eye examinations accessible to professional drivers, particularly during licence issuance and renewal, could therefore become a practical step towards protecting lives and strengthening road safety across the country.