The internet is still upset about a proposal that we’ll all be forced to retake our drivers’ licence every five years.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is proposing that all of us retake the K53 test every time we renew our licence.
According to the proposal, drivers of buses, trucks and taxis would go through extra testing every five years, to renew their Professional Driving Permits.
Currently, these PDPs are basically a medical clearance by a doctor, but the RTMC wants PDPs to include testing of driving ability at a testing centre.
This is similar to the competency certificate process involved in applying for and the renewing of a gun licence.
And this is really how I see it.
Society understands that guns are dangerous things and that owners should be checked out regularly to make sure that they are still competent to operate one.
I’ve always believed that the same criteria should apply to vehicles.
They’re even more dangerous than firearms because they are a lot easier to access and operate.
So why then don’t we make sure every few years that drivers are still competent?
The whole thing makes perfect sense to me. In an ideal world, yes.
Unfortunately, our world is far from ideal and this could end up being a bureaucratic nightmare.
Just imagine the mind-numbing queues, only to reach the front and face frustrated, inept or corrupt officials - all wild-eyed with panic and desperation.
So, yes, I do believe that retesting will make a huge difference in driving habits and even bring down the annual carnage on our roads.
And I’m a bit disappointed that so many of my fellow South Africans are unwilling to take the pain that comes with positive change.
We are all ever ready to complain and come up with suggestions for fixes, as long as those don’t inconvenience us in any way.
I suppose that’s just human nature.
So I want to bring this back to the money again. Because as I said previously, the simplest and easiest way to modify people’s behaviour is to affect their pockets.
I read some time ago that in parts of Europe, people who break the traffic laws are fined a percentage of their income.
In the case of one wealthy speedster, it amounted to millions of euros.
Let’s face it, a R1000 speeding fine is pocket change to some people, so they never change their behaviour.
But if they had to pay, say 25% of their annual income as a fine for speeding; and if that was pursued vigorously; to the point of asset attachment in cases of non-payment, it wouldn’t be long before people stopped speeding.
Also, we should investigate a vehicle-forfeiture law for repeat offenders. So for example, if you are caught driving recklessly five times, your vehicle gets forfeited to the state.
Additionally, reckless drivers who destroy public property like light poles and freeway barriers should be made to pay for the repairs.
Vehicles in the wrong hands are more dangerous than firearms, and we should treat them as such!