Is driver training in South Africa aiding in reducing the number of road accidents?
Aspirant drivers can apply for a ‘learner’s’ licence at the age of 17. The process involves making an appointment with the local authorities to write an exam, after studying privately or by attending a driving school. The content of the study material covers all the traffic rules and regulations applicable to South Africa, as well as a section on the various controls of a motorcycle and motor vehicle. Practical driving sessions at a registered driving school follows, where the student is taught some of the basic aspects of driving a motor vehicle, which include the following:
How to pull away on an uphill without the vehicle rolling back, reversing in to a confined space from a standstill, making a ‘three point’ turn within certain boundaries, observing surroundings and other road users before carrying out any manouveres, carrying out the parallel parking procedure and general driving on the road. During the duration of this practical training, the student is required to apply all the traffic rules and regulations learned during the learner’s licence process. This is called the K53 driver training system.
Read: TZANEEN: Accident claims young man
Then follows the practical test with an testing officer assigned, who will evaluate the student according to the ‘K53’ standards, and decide whether the student is competent enough to be signed off. The question should now be asked, is this individual (after passing the driving test) in any way equipped to deal with dangerous situations on the road, such as wet weather conditions, or will he/she be totally reliant on fear, which will either cause him/her to slow down to ridiculously slow speeds, react empty-headed, or to postpone their trip all together? Postponing a trip is not an option because that would equate to responsible conduct.
One should be cognisant of the fact that there are allegedly thousands of illegal drivers licences issued per annum, without the recipients receiving the legal, basic K53 training, or taking the practical test. Not to mention the amount of people driving without drivers licenses. The plain truth is that apart from the basics taught by the K53 system and the subsequent legal testing thereof, NO comprehensive driver training is required by law in South Africa, neither is any such training available. Some of the major motor manufacturers offer advanced driving courses, but it is expensive and the underlying motive really is to market their product more than anything else.
A young boy does not learn the rules of rugby, complete a small amount of basic training and within 12 months become a national rugby player. No it is a process, a ‘culture’ if you like that starts sometimes at the tender age of five, offering guidance, coaching, exercising, practice, emotional training and support, conditioning, discipline, recovering, rehabilitation and the big ‘R’, no not racism, RESPONSIBILITY, for a period of 12 years or more to be successful.
Yet, we put people legally behind a steering wheel of a car who have had no or very limited training and experience on how to deal with dangerous conditions and situations. The moment that a driver’s licence is issued to an individual, he or she becomes a ‘national’ driver, authorised to operate a two wheel or four wheel lethal weapon.
Read: TZANEEN: Three killed, five injured in car, truck crash
Herewith some statistics for Tzaneen (courtesy of the GTM licensing department ) for the calender year 2017: Number of learner licences issued: 8992. Average passing rate for learner licences: 50%. Number of drivers licences issued: 21091. Average passing rate for drivers licences: 60%.
Please note that the figure for the number of driving licences issued, includes the renewal of current licences, which have expired.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation says it will: ‘In partnership with the department of transport, safety and liaison in the Eastern Cape, launch a learner licence driver program to promote safe driving. ‘The project will target secondary school learners across all provinces, who are eligible to undergo a learner licence driving test’.
The corporation said: ‘The program would seek to teach learners the K53 method of testing and licensing for them to obtain a legitimate learner’s licence and later a driver’s licence. ‘The overall goal is to reduce the number of crashes affecting young people and subsequently decrease number of fatalities.’
They still don’t get it do they?
Until next time.
Please send any comments to: theunsv@herald.co.za
