Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer
Fletcher: Vehicles are passed fit and roadworthy for a fee without even going to the examination depot. - CONTRIBUTED
SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:
PAULA FLETCHER, the executive director of the Road Safety Unit, has revealed that consideration was being given for a 'graduating license system' for persons who are in the process of obtaining a driver's licence.
Ms. Fletcher, who was speaking at the launch of the 2006 National Road Safety Campaign in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, on Wednesday, said the graduating system is one where individuals are given a provisional driver's licence that allows them to drive in a specific area under specific conditions. Such a person is deemed to have successfully completed the programme if he/she drives accident-free during the assessment period. The individual will move on to the next step of applying for a driver's licence.
Ms. Fletcher noted that the current system, where persons who have a provisional licence can apply for a driver's licence the following day, was not working well. The proposed graduating system, she said, has worked well in other countries.
SYSTEMIC CORRUPTION
In providing an update on accident figures since the start of the year, Ms. Fletcher noted that fatalities are running at almost one per day. There were 129 deaths last year from 125 fatal accidents compared to 152 deaths since the start of this year, from 135 fatal accidents.
Ms. Fletcher told The Gleaner that among the factors contributing to the high number of accidents was corruption in the examination system where vehicles are passed fit and roadworthy for a fee without even going to the examination depot. She said these practices need to be addressed, as well as rogue police personnel who often collect money from motorists for breaches of the Road Traffic Act.
The National Road Safety Council will be going on the streets as of September to have a national rally with all the stakeholders to deal with the problem. Also, there will be an updated version of the Road Code.
The 2006 Road Safety Campaign is being observed under the theme 'Fools Speed Ahead'.
It is organised in conjunction with the Police Traffic Department, Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association and the Ministry of Transport.
