Duncan-Price calls for review of driver's licence system

Saturday, February 25, 2012

GOVERNMENT Senator Imani Duncan-Price has called for a re-examination of the driver's licence system in light of what she says is "widespread doubt concerning its integrity".

The first-time senator made the call in a motion, which she tabled at yesterday's sitting of the Senate at Gordon House in downtown Kingston.

She said the background against which she made the appeal included the fact that too often licences are issued to persons who have not done a driving test as well as to persons who are challenged in terms of literacy, and therefore cannot interpret the road code.

In addition, she said licences were also being issued to individuals allowing them to drive much heavier types of motor vehicles than the ones they were examined for.

"Whereas there is widespread doubt concerning the integrity of the system by which driver's licences are issued in Jamaica... and whereas that doubt is continually strengthened by the character of the chaotic driving that is witnessed all too often on our roadways, causing untold discomfort, mayhem and death, be it resolved that this Senate call upon the government authorities to conduct a re-examination of the system, in particular the process and qualifications required for an applicant to be successful in obtaining a valid driver's licence," Duncan-Price proposed.

The motion is to be debated at a later date.

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COMMENTS (6)

Ainsworth Cole
2/26/2012

weaknesses in the system is caused by the same premise been put forward here that because a person is not able to read he/she must not get a licence to drive. A person can or should be able to drive if the skills needed is mastered and the road signs can be reconise and understood. The residents of the EU do drive from country to country not knowing the language of the other, but the signage is so unified that they can obey the road code. We must therefore not exclude but be inclusive of all

Devon T
2/26/2012

I agree with this motion. Yes i believe that the system bears absolutely no integrity and it is a wonder why nothing has been done. Having spent 2 weeks in Jamaica and driving through 12 of the 14 parishes, i have seen proof of all Mrs Duncan Price is saying and i implore the authorities to move full speed ahead with the review. don't just debate...ACT.

mini mc
2/26/2012

it doesn't need review,
it needs enforcement!

Kas An
2/25/2012

All words. Need action

A Sil
2/25/2012

"licences were also being issued to individuals allowing them to drive much heavier types of motor vehicles than the ones they were examined for" So what? What the government should do is have a special category such as "non-commercial two axle" and charge for the upgrade without a test. A 15-seater wagon with modern engineering is not beyond the capabilities of an experienced driver of a compact vehicle.

wanda woeman
2/25/2012

Good on you Senator. Government doesn’t seem to have the will to correct these ills however. For example a driver is caught with a license and it is found that he or she cannot read. Isn’t there someone who issued this person with the license and isn’t this name immortalized somewhere. Certainly someone cannot unlearn to read so at the time of issue the person would not have been able to read either. Why are these facilitators not pursued and dealt with harshly? There certainly would be fewer deaths on the roads.

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Duncan-Price calls for review of driver's licence system