Road Accident Fund Drivers Wellness Programme

Road Accident Fund Drivers Wellness Programme

Project Overview

RAF has partnered with The Health Foundation to deliver a first-of-its-kind “Drivers Wellness Programme” to provide a free eye care and primary healthcare to drivers who carry a large number of commuters (e.g., taxis, buses etc.) and freight. The drivers receive free vitals health checks and if required, free prescription glasses are provided.
The active management of a person’s chronic conditions and visual impairment can decrease the risk of a medical event while driving and prevent vehicle accidents that may happen due to poor vision. RAF deployed one bus as a pilot project at the traffic control center in Polokwane on October 7, 2022, in an effort to implement practical measures to reduce the high fatality rate on South African roads. During the pilot phase, the project is in operation for a period of 6 months. The bus travels to Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and North West provinces. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) reported above mentioned provinces with the highest number of fatalities from major crashes.

Project Partners

• The Health Foundation
• Africa Mobility Solutions (AMS)
• Guud Mobility.
• RAF

The collaborating partners are working towards ensuring that this project is managed in a cost-effective and impactful manner.

The bus provides the following services:

• Free health checks, with a dispensing nurse as well as an optometrist to prescribe driving glasses wherever needed.
• Serves as a one-stop enquiry centre for disadvantaged communities with limited access to RAF offices and staff. Services includes claims status checks and general enquiries.
• Promote Road Safety education, seat belt wearing by both drivers and passengers. The mobile collects data about driving trends for analysis to inform future planning, and influence policy development

Interesting Facts about the Bus

• The RAF bus is technologically driven with a full internet connection at all times.
• Live feed location, ongoing reporting and feedback communication.
• The bus is independently powered via the use of an installed generator on board.
• The bus weighs a hefty 12 tons.
• It takes three weeks to fit out internally and brand externally.