Call for regular drivers’ tests

Drivers from countries with limited driver training and lower licensing standards present a challenge to road safety, say experts.

Experts are proposing UAE drivers retake tests at least every five years, to develop their skills and safety. Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // Drivers should be given tests at least every five years to improve their skills and stop complacency creeping in, experts say.

"Re-testing does assist drivers to improve their knowledge of new traffic laws and also reinforce existing ones, as over time we do forget certain information," said Dino Kalivas, chairman of driver education at the International Road Federation.

“By re-testing we are also illustrating to drivers that their skills need to be improved over time and, much like any form of education, it is a continuous process.”

People from countries with limited driver training and lower licensing standards present a challenge to road safety.

Yury Duzhnikov, 28, a sales manager in Dubai, shared his views on driving behaviour on the Road Safety UAE website.

“The UAE’s demographics is exactly why retesting is necessary,” Mr Duzhnikov said. “People, regardless of their culture and nationality, become complacent once they learn a monotonous task such as driving.

“They think passing a test to get a licence is the only time they’ll need to actually follow all the rules. I guarantee that if we take 10 drivers and re-test them on the spot, nine out of 10 will fail, with at least one or two things they forgot they needed to do.”

Bad habits develop over time, Mr Duzhnikov said, which include neglecting to use indicators, sudden lane changes, failing to check mirrors and using mobile phones while driving.

But Lt Col Jamal Al Ameri, of Abu Dhabi traffic police, said any proposal to battle complacency should be supported by research.

“It would take a lot of time and effort to assess experien- ced drivers every three to five years, and of course there are financial considerations for the licensing department to implement it,” Lt Col Al Ameri said.

It is more important for drivers to have refresher courses to improve skills rather than being asked to re-take tests, said Khaled Al Mansoori, chief executive at Emirates Driving Company.

“What the driver is actually learning is not just how to get a driving licence, but how to understand the traffic mechanism as a whole and ultimately, how to stay alive and protect the lives of other road users.”

Mr Duzhnikov, a Russian who has driven for 10 years, said refresher courses should focus more on practical training.

“These courses are for people, even like me, who have been driving for several years,” he said. “For instance, we need to be reminded to indicate and how to perform shoulder checks.”

It is not unusual for people to believe they can drive without having received any proper training, Mr Al Mansoori said.

“Some people have an unrealistically high opinion of their driving abilities that may prove disastrous for themselves and other road users,” he said.

“The belief that traffic skills can be mastered simply by the knowledge of the rules and the ability to manoeuvre a car suggests a very superficial understanding of the difficulties that may be encountered on the road.”

Driver training standards and the curriculum have to be of very high standard, whether people are being re-tested or trained to obtain their licence, Mr Kalivas said.

“The police road test should also require drivers to demonstrate they can drive safely, not take risks and that they can anticipate and avoid hazardous situations,” he said. “Effective enforcement of traffic laws and media campaigns that constantly alert drivers on how they can reduce their risk of collisions are vital.”

Strong messages need to be sent to all drivers to remind them of traffic problems, said Dr Salaheddin Bendak, an associate professor at the department of industrial engineering at the University of Sharjah.

“Awareness campaigns in all media outlets should be continuous,” Dr Bendak said. “But this is not happening at all.”