CP: Tougher licensing crucial to preventing dangerous accidents

Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau says that toughening the issuance of driver’s license is a crucial step that must be taken to reduce the number of dangerous accidents.

Road accidents are common in the populous Male’ area, some of them fatal. Police say they are engaged in numerous efforts to prevent accidents, including conducting criminal investigations, towing vehicles, and suspending licenses.

But the measures have failed to effectively address the issue.

Shujau, who was appointed as the country’s new Commissioner of Police in December, told Sun on Monday that it is important to consider whether the current licensing system is the best mechanism.

He said that many of the accidents are caused by inept drivers.

“I think we perhaps need to revisit the current licensing system, and sit down for talks and reshape it to a better system,” he said.

Shujau said that authorities need to make the theory and practical exam tougher, and end the perception that driver’s license is easily accessible.

‘PEDESTRIANS MUST ALSO BE RESPONSBILE’

Shujau added that the burden of following traffic rules does not lie solely on drivers, but also pedestrians.

“Using the zebra cross to cross the street instead of crossing from where ever, and looking at both sides of the street before crossing… these are things we can do at individual level,” he said.

The latest statistics released by the police show traffic collisions were the second most reported incidents during the third quarter of last year. 1,116 accidents were reported during the period. 606 of the accidents were investigated, with criminal charges sought in one case.