Tuesday, May 20, 2008

RTD drives ‘P’ licence into review lane

By : Marc Lourdes

KUALA LUMPUR: A major overhaul of rules governing motorists is under way, starting with a review of the probationary driver's licence.

The Road Transport Department (RTD) is also addressing problems in the registration of vehicles, issuance of licences, enforcement and administration.

But the first step being taken will be in addressing the "P" licence because of flaws in the Kejara demerit points system, which determines if holders get their full licence.

RTD director-general Datuk Ahmad Mustapha Abdul Rashid told the New Straits Times the "P" licence was being reviewed by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros).

"We have been strict in enforcing it but there are a lot of flaws in the Kejara system.
"For example, it does not apply to the goods driving licence or public service vehicles.

"Rude or cheating cab drivers or lorry drivers who overload their vehicles are not penalised under the system."

Ahmad added that the overhaul, carried out in stages, would be completed by next year.

"We might even propose a new law to supplement or supercede the Road Transport Act 1987."

Miros director-general Professor Radin Umar Radin Sohadi said the idea behind reviewing the "P" licence was to see how drivers' risk and exposure to danger could be minimised.

"Research shows that the first three years after getting a driving licence is the most crucial period with regard to accidents.

"In the first year, the risk of an accident is between 30 and 40 per cent. In the second year, it drops to between 15 and 20 per cent."

In the third year, the figure falls to between five and eight per cent.

He added that the review did not mean that the "P" licence period would be extended.

"It could be reduced, extended or maintained the way it is now. It is too early to say what needs to be done.

"Miros should be able to finalise the research by the end of this year or early next year."

Radin said this was the first time the "P" licence system, also used in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, was being reviewed.

Miros is emulating the practice in Australia where teenagers are not allowed to drive their peers in their vehicle in the first year of getting a licence.

Miros is also looking at the accreditation, grading and rating of driving schools.