Everyone I know has a story to tell about safety – or, more likely, a lack thereof - on our provincial and national roads. There is a general sense of recklessness on the part of many drivers which is no doubt encouraged by the model recklessness of many backseat drivers entitled to the infamous blue lights. 

But most bad driving on our roads results from the drivers’ incompetence.

The national Transport Minister tells us that between July 2005 and last month almost two-thirds of those who applied for driving licences failed their tests. In real terms, a whole million of the 1.5-million prospective drivers didn’t make it. 

The truth is that the dismal pass rate of 35 percent in KwaZulu Natal (slightly below the national average of 39 percent) for the prospective drivers is a lot lower than the widely-criticised matric pass rates of the recent years. What’s wrong? 

The Minister believes that applicants are not adequately prepared for the test because they are not compelled to make use of a driving school and some driving schools, in turn, may not adequately prepare applicants. 

But how does this insight inform the shocking levels of road safety in the province and the country? The low pass rate for prospective drivers would suggest that the criteria are strict enough and, as a result, driver’s licences are awarded exclusively to competent drivers. 

This is clearly not the case since a vast amount of road accidents is caused by drivers without licences. What is to be done to resolve this seemingly impossible situation? We in the IFP see a strong case for an in-depth inquiry. 

There is no doubt that its results would lead both to greater scrutiny for driving schools to ensure that they comply with set standards and a wide-ranging clamp-down on the issuing of illegal driver’s licences.

Dr Lionel Mtshali MPP
Leader of the Official Opposition

Contact: Dr Lionel Mtshali, 083 256 4902