Do You Know Someone with a Licence to Kill?

The horrendous death toll on our roads has finally galvanised the authorities to think of more effective means to reduce the carnage on the roads.

However, the latest proposal seems to address the problem after it has occurred and is not pro-active.

There are some cases where the person who caused the accident is not involved in the actual destruction and deaths. You can drive in a dangerous manner and cause someone else to have an accident that does not damage your vehicle and if there is no witness to identify you, nothing happens to you.

We must take positive actions much earlier and before those killer drivers are allowed on the roads. I am referring to the quality of our driving tests and the “kopi money” system that still exists.

Let me share my experience. I took my driving test in 1966 and passed the first time with a driving school that offered a “guaranteed” pass. At the time it was explained that the school would teach you until you passed. I do not remember being asked to pay for any extras. When I was in the UK, I sent my licence to be renewed by my brother and it turned out to be a fake licence!

The police wanted to see me but my brother told them I would be away for four years. I took the UK driving test and also passed the first time after paying for about ten driving lessons over there. The instructor was very good and corrected a few bad habits like riding the clutch around corners, braking incorrectly and incorrect driving position.

A few years ago, someone I know took her driving test and was asked if she wanted a guaranteed pass. They had different rates for Bumis and non-Bumis. So it appears the NEP also extends here!

I believe the accident rate can only be reduced if we produce motorists who are not licensed to kill.

We can make use of statistics to discover testers who are too lenient and then investigate them to uncover the reasons for their lenient attitude.
We can even use the data to restrict the number of new drivers and soon the “kopi money” system will die out.



To introduce the system, we can offer all the existing testers a VSS so that those who are not dedicated to improving driving standards can look for other options.

I would also install a camera and audio monitoring system so that every test car is monitored on-line during the driving test so that there is less room for hanky-panky. Perhaps the driving test may have to be increased by RM30 to cover this advanced monitoring.
But this would be money well spent if it ensures that your son or daughter can survive to a ripe old age as a driver.

The driving test must also include driving on single lane roads and a test on safe overtaking.

As I wrote earlier, with the present system you must supervise your children’s driving after they pass for a few sessions before you give them freedom. Otherwise that car may be just a ride to hell.

If you are a hell driver yourself, I hope the police will get you off the roads sooner rather than later.

photo:http://www.hants.gov.uk/regulatory/images/drivlic.jpg