Cancellation of permits for errant driving schools
View(s):Sri Lanka’s driving schools numbering around 700 are to be streamlined and regulated upgrading the standard of driving instructors aimed at producing disciplined drivers to minimize motor traffic accidents countrywide, officials said.
The permits of driving schools responsible for passing out indisciplined drivers would be withdrawn.
Motor Traffic Department Commissioner General S. H. Harischandra said that the Transport Ministry will not issue new licences for driving schools without qualified driving instructors.
Driving instructor licences will only be issued for persons who have passed the examination conducted by the Examination Department under the supervision of the Motor Traffic Department.
The results of the recently held examination will be released soon.
Driving instructor identity cards will be issued to those who have qualified in the examination.
It has been revealed that instructors of some driving schools were not fit and proper to train motorists.
In such cases, those who have undergone training at these schools will eventually become indisciplined drivers, he said.
Mr. Harischandra noted that special focus will be paid on enhancing awareness programmes for both drivers and pedestrians and improving training standards at driving schools.
He also noted that some driving schools are in the practice of training drivers on busy highways and crowded junctions ignoring traffic jams in the mornings, afternoons and at peak hours in the evening.
The department plans to set up modern driver training tracks with the assistance of the private sector to avoid the practice of using roads by learners of driving schools.
The commissioner identified three areas; the driver, condition of the vehicle and road standard – as the three key factors which lead to an accident
“We cannot do much to change the road condition, but we can make a difference in the quality of driving standards and the vehicle,” he added.
According to statistics released by the Police, at least six people die daily in road traffic accidents. Over 80 per cent of the accidents occur due to carelessness. Around 100 -150 road accidents occur daily of which 45 per cent are serious.
Police in a bid to tackle the high incidence of motor traffic accidents will take stern action against errant drivers and driving schools which were responsible in obtaining driving licenses for those drivers without proper lessons in driving.
The police will crack down on such driving schools by tracking down records involving negligent drivers at the respective driving schools, a senior police officer attached to the City Traffic Police said.
Road accidents due to poor driving skills had rapidly increased and the new plan will be able to tackle this situation, he added.
The instructor should be professionally trained to teach road safety rules and practices to learners.
Private driving schools should enhance competence of drivers through the use of modern equipment, up to date information and materials, and of course a strong understanding of the reality of the responsibility, Mr Harischandra said.
The Transport Ministry is now monitoring driving schools to ensure they provide a quality service, a senior official of the ministry said.
“If these schools failed to take necessary measures to improve their standards, the ministry will cancel their driving school permits,” he said.
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