Transport Commissioner C Nagaraju has told all transport offices (RTOs) to make driving tests stricter. The main focus will be on drivers checking for pedestrians and following parking rules.
The Commissioner responded to worries from the High Court about too many pedestrians dying near crossings and roadsides. He has ordered surprise checks at Motor Driving Schools (MDS) to see if they are teaching students properly on roads and in classrooms. Nagaraju warned, “If they are not, the driving teacher’s license should be cancelled right away until they complete a required refresher course.”
A study found that 26.5% of all road accident deaths in Kerala were pedestrians. The study also reported that more than 5,100 pedestrians died in crashes between 2018 and 2022.
The new rules will also target bad parking. Vehicles parked without leaving space to walk, or those that block the view, are a major danger because they force people to walk on busy roads. Bad parking causes accidents, traffic jams, and takes away the right-of-way, especially for older people, children, and people with disabilities.
The Commissioner stressed that pedestrians, cyclists, and two-wheeler riders (called Vulnerable Road Users) must be given the highest priority on all roads.
With input from TNIE
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
