Driver retest proposed
A PROPOSAL to have drivers renew their licence every five years and be retested using the K53 method has drawn mixed reaction.
Social media users took to the Newspaper Facebook page to express concern after the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) proposed overhauling many of the current testing and driving rules.
Facebook user Vaneshrie Moodley wrote: “The testing stations cannot manage the current workload. People have to wait months to get a date for the licence test. How will they cope with the renewals?”
Robby Solomon Pillay added: “(The) retake of (the) K53 test should be given to those who have on numerous occasions broken the road rules and been given fines.”
Raj Maharaj: “Now you will get more unlicensed drivers on the road.”
Navin Govindsamy said it was a good idea in principle, if the country had the resources, “however we don’t”; while Neelesh Badasie added that the proposal was “perfect”, as responsible driver behaviour was on a decline. Maggie Rungasamy said: “If it’s free, then it’s okay.”
RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane said the proposal was sparked after about 800 people died on the roads in December – a 16% increase from 2017.
“These are the ideas on how to improve the quality of drivers in our country in a bid to combat the carnage on our roads,” said Zwane.
“In other countries, such as Australia, they place restrictions on newly-qualified drivers. Therefore, we also want to review the regulations on newly-licensed drivers and public transport vehicle drivers.”
Other proposals included newly-qualified drivers not being allowed to make long road trips of 150km or more in their first year, and he/she had still to be accompanied by an experienced driver for the first six months. Another is that additional testing for taxi, bus and truck drivers applying for their professional drivers permits (PrDP) be done.
“You have 19-year-olds who have obtained their drivers’ licence and apply for their PrDP straight after. These are new drivers who want to transport passengers.
“When you look at the number of accidents involving public transport, it is worrying. Therefore, it is important to review the way drivers acquire their PrDP. We want to prepare the public transport drivers for their duties, and not just do eye tests and blood pressure tests.”
Zwane added that they also wanted to introduce a specific curriculum for driving school instructors. “Driving school instructors need to be qualified, and not just anyone with a licence should be allowed to operate. They should also pass a course before being allowed to open driving schools.”
He added that the proposals, which were still under discussion, would be open to public participation before being submitted to government for approval.
The chairman of the Phoenix Taxi Association, Basha Suliman, said he welcomed the proposal – if it better ensured passenger safety.
“We want to ensure we have drivers who are qualified, especially having the duty to transport lives.”
The owner of Trevor’s Driving School, Shaun Matthews, said while this may be a boost for business, the proposal, if implemented, could attract unaccredited, fly-by-night schools looking to make a quick buck.
“They will offer lower tuition fees, which will attract those that can’t pay the standard fees.”
He added that testing stations, which were under strain, may not have the capacity to attend to the increased demands if the renewal and retesting proposal was implemented.
“This means that drivers face being fined when stopped by the police for driving without a valid licence.”
The president of the Southern African Institute of Driving Instructors, Patricia Allen, said every driver needed to be trained to “a defensive driving standard”.