Date:10/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/10/stories/2008121051050200.htm

Kerala - Kozhikode

More rigorous driving tests needed, says MCC

Special Correspondent

Seminars will be held to raise awareness of
traffic rules.

Kozhikode: The Malabar Chamber of Commerce (MCC) has said that driving tests should be made more rigorous and strict in view of the rise in number of road accidents.

P.V. Gangadharan, president, MCC, said that a more stringent test of driving skills had become necessary because it had become a “fashion” to drive at break-neck speed and to attempt circus-like manoeuvres while driving.

“No concern is shown to pedestrians, not even to school children as is evident from the recent road accident in Kannur,” he said.

The chamber president also appealed to the authorities concerned to make it compulsory for vehicle drivers involved in accidents to attend driving classes, create better awareness of road safety among children and deal out more stringent punishments for traffic offences, including speeding.

A joint endeavour by the police and the Motor Vehicles Department had become imperative to bring down accident rates.

The government on its part should build better roads that would be safe for pedestrians and vehicles, the MCC president said.

MCC would organise seminars to raise the level of awareness about road safety and traffic rules, Mr. Gangadharan said.