Tougher ride for learner drivers in South Africa

ALL South African drivers have until July 6 to comment on the amendments to the National Road Traffic Act that were announced in the Government Gazette 35413 on June 8.

Comments can be faxed to 012 309 3962 or emailed to
motsatsj@dot.gov.za.

The amendments aim at the four areas in which South Africa currently lags behind the world, and as such are mostly welcome. There are, however, several concerns surrounding the cumbersome and what some call preventative measures aimed at learner drivers.

In general, the amendments aim to:

• fix all driver’s addresses;

• enforce roadworthy tests every two years for vehicles older than 10 years, (excluding vintage cars);

• regulate driving schools better; and

• introduce a year-long provisional licence ("P drivers") in driver licensing, as reckless young drivers make up the most fatalities on roads worldwide. The latter includes that "P drivers" may not drive between midnight and 4 am.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in Scotland
has teamed up with MyDrive Solutions, an insurance
telematics specialist, to launch black boxes
that will monitor young professional drivers as the
pictured flight recorder does for pilots.

These are the hours during which drunk young drivers are involved in fatal accidents and all late-night road users will be glad to be spared the menace of too-young-to-die drivers in the wee hours.

If this seems onerous, spare a thought for young Scottish drivers.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in Scotland has teamed up with MyDrive Solutions, an insurance telematics specialist, to launch black boxes that will monitor young professional drivers.

The project, funded by the Scottish government, aims to monitor and improve the driving behaviour and standards of young people who drive for work.

It will run until July 2013 and there is no charge to organisations to participate.

Research has shown that this type of technology can significantly reduce crash rates, levels of risky driving behaviours and fuel and accident costs.

Scotland will use the results to put black boxes in all cars, which will record second-by-second driver analysis data and send it to MyDrive automatically at the end of every journey. Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “I am delighted that Transport Scotland is able to support and be associated with this innovative project as we recognise that telematics technology could have a role to play in saving lives on our roads.

“The National Young Driver Debate [March 2011] highlighted the potential for speed-limiting technology and black box data recorders to improve the safety of young drivers, and all those who drive as part of their jobs.”