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The introduction of the multi-currency system, which brought with it economic stability, has seen many Zimbabweans affording to buy a car. Thousands of cars are imported into the country every month, while internally, hundreds are buying locally manufactured second hand vehicles. The influx of imported cars has resulted in an increase in the country’s vehicle population.
Unfortunately, a significant number of the people buying cars do not have driver’s licences.
In Zimbabwe, it is easier to buy a car than obtain a driver’s licence, hence a number of new car owners drive without licences in the hope that they will not be caught, or in the event of being caught, they would grease the palms of arresting details.
A $10 bribe is, in most instances, enough to get a transgressing driver off the hook for such a serious offence.
In a story carried in yesterday’s Chronicle, we reported that 9,331 unlicensed drivers were arrested by police between January and June this year, a massive 71 percent increment from the same period last year, according to a survey by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency.
The shocking thing is that the statistics captured by the ZimStat represent only those caught. Factoring in unlicensed drivers who pay bribes and those who have escaped the attention of law enforcement agents so far, the number is likely to be frighteningly higher.
This is a cause for concern. Unlicensed drivers are not only a danger to themselves but to other road users as well. Accidents attributed to unlicensed drivers are on the rise.
The Chronicle has in recent weeks carried stories on unlicensed drivers who allegedly took taxis without permission and were involved in accidents which claimed both their lives. Many similar stories go unreported in the media. Other unlicensed drivers have been dragged before the courts after hitting pedestrians.
Government needs to come with measures that make it difficult for unlicensed drivers to venture onto our roads, such as banning people without licences from buying cars or impounding cars driven by such people until they can prove they have licences.
Current penalties for the offence do not appear to be a deterrent.
In the same light, we believe authorities responsible for issuing out licences at the Vehicle Inspection Depot are partly to blame for this emerging problem of unlicensed drivers.
Zimbabwe must be one of the few countries where getting a driver’s licence is very difficult. Frustrated learner drivers tell of tales where they have to part with at least $150 if they are ever to entertain the thought of getting a licence. Others now prefer to undertake practical road tests in smaller towns where they think it’s easier to get the document.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development must review the way drivers are tested to make it easier for people to get a driver’s licence. We don’t believe that a tough road test will translate into better drivers. Zimbabwe needs to investigate how other countries do it when it comes to road tests and do away with some outdated manoeuvres which are never used in real life situations.
In this case, we are thinking of the hill start and reversing into drums. How many licensed drivers have ever been forced to driver under such conditions since acquiring their licenses?
The VID must concentrate on teaching drivers proper driving techniques so that they become good drivers on the roads.
Online Reporter