SANTACO-KZN will again ­select its best driver based on passenger nominations, in Mkondeni, on Valentine’s Day.

Santaco started the annual Best Driver of the Year campaign to encourage higher driving standards among all taxi drivers, including obeying the rules of the road, respecting commuters and avoiding negligence.

The regional chair, Boy Zondi, said in a statement that one of Santaco’s major concerns is that many commuters have no alternative transport to taxis.

“It then becomes imperative that as Santaco-KZN, we try our utmost best to provide safe and reliable transport to all commuters, and send a message to our drivers that we cannot tolerate negligence, namely speeding, drinking and driving, and overloading of any kind,” said Zondi.

Earlier this year, commuters were invited to vote for the driver who drives safely and communicates well with passengers, and the 10 drivers who received the most votes are now to pit their skills behind the wheel for the coveted award.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the tests, which take place at the ­Mkondeni Testing Grounds in Pietermaritzburg from 8 am on February 14.