Professional drivers to undergo aptitude tests

Minister of Transport and Public Works Francis Kasaila has disclosed that government plans to introduce mandatory highway aptitude tests as one way of bringing sanity on the roads.

Speaking in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Kasaila said since the Highway Code has now been computerised, it would be easy to reach out to a lot of drivers within a short period of time.

‘With the computerisation of most of the processes at Road Traffic Directorate, it will be easy to administer the mandatory Highway Code tests. What will happen is that when any professional driver is renewing their licence, they will be required to undergo the test,” said Kasaila.

The professional drivers, according to the minister, include those driving minibuses, trucks and buses.

He expressed optimism that the tests would help reduce road accidents as there would be strict adherence to traffic laws.

Director of transport in the ministry, F. Gondwe, said the introduction of the Highway Code tests would significantly reduce road accidents as some people obtained licences without following proper procedures.

He said: “Initially we were doing the Highway Code tests manually and due to capacity issues we were not able to reach out to many people. But starting from April 11, we will introduce mandatory tests and this will help take out drivers who did not deserve to have licences. We know some people will not pass the tests because in any examinations there are bound to be failures.”

Gondwe added that some of the road accidents that happen in the country are a result of failure to adhere to road signs.

“Many people have lost lives due to the fact that drivers who obtained licences dubiously were given the mandate to drive buses or minibuses. When we are through with the professional drivers, we will administer the tests to the rest of the drivers,” said Gondwe.

Despite having fewer vehicles, Malawi has the highest accident rate in the Sadc region.