Driving, no more for illiterates

Jide Owatunmise

Driving is among the most complex and dynamic tasks globally. It involves the coordination of several organs of the body in a changing environment to ensure effective and safe vehicle control.

In the developed and some developed countries, every Driver Licence applicant or would be driver must have passed compulsory computer-based theory test. Those who pass the the test will then proceed for the practical test before being issued the Driver Licence.

This is because such countries clearly understood early enough that driving is not for illiterates because of its complexity and the dynamics of vehicle technology and the road traffic regulations. That’s why such countries have been recording low rates of road traffic crashes and deaths till date. In those countries, people celebrate when they pass the pre – licence theory and practical tests.

In the 50s-90s in Nigeria, illiterate drivers were coping well with the task of driving because the road networks, vehicle technology, traffic regulations and health issues were not as complex and dynamic as they are today. Weave lanes, multiple – lane roads, traffic signs written in words and symbols, computerised vehicles with multiple on – board facilities, in – car and outside distractive objects as well as other road users are on the increase, thereby increasing the complexity of today’s driving far beyond the ability of stark illiterates who cannot read and write.

In Nigeria, we are accustomed to risk taking and dangerous compromise. We have millions of holders of Driver Licence who do not know  10 percent of the traffic signs and road markings; who cannot read traffic signs on the roads; who cannot read the symbols on the vehicle dashboard; who do not know the road traffic regulations; who have no copy of the Highway Code not to talk of knowing the contents; who do not know vehicle dynamics; and who do not know his responsibilities and limitations on the roads.

The list of the deficiencies of most of the licensed and unlicensed drivers is endless. Yet, these vehicle movers who called themselves drivers are dangerously operating on the roads manifesting their ignorance in the form of unsafe speed, dangerous overtaking, aggressive driving, disregard for the rights of other road users, drug addiction and other violations.

The government has been  worried about the high rate of road traffic crashes, injuries and deaths without taking workable proactive measures to reduce the carnage on the roads. There is an urgent need to enforce the training and final assessment tests by driving schools for learner drivers before the issuance of certificates for the processing of Driver Licence.

The Vehicle Inspection Officers(VIOs) must be well funded to conduct theory and practical tests for all Driver Licence applicants without any form of compromise.

Consequent upon the aforementioned, there should be no more Driver Licence for illiterates who do not have at least elementary knowledge of computer as it obtains in countries with low rates of road traffic crashes.

Life is very precious and we must put away sentiments. The Constitution provided that Nigerians should possess basic education. This is the reason basic education is free. Anyone who has no basic education  should go for other less complex menial jobs and stop constituting  safety risks on the roads as a driver.

Life is precious and irreplaceable. Nothing is too much for the government and its agencies as well as other Nigerians to prevent loss of lives and valuable properties from being wasted on the roads.