Upholding road safety: Addressing violations in driving tests

The government has various departments responsible for enforcing rules and regulations, including the Department of Motor Vehicles, which imposes the highest fines for violations. However, it's unjust to exempt them from adhering to these laws. The Principal Accountant General's audit revealed numerous violations during driving tests conducted by the Motor Vehicles Department in Kerala. This marks the first time the AG conducted a field inspection related to road safety in the state, covering 37 testing grounds in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram districts.

Despite regulations mandating the presence of parking and H tracks at all testing grounds, 34 out of 37 lacked these basic facilities. Moreover, while a fine of Rs 500 is imposed for driving without a seatbelt, officials conducting driving tests were found not wearing seat belts during H track tests in 31 grounds. This hypocrisy among law enforcers undermines road safety efforts amidst a rising number of accidents.

The report also highlights discrepancies such as the absence of helmets during two-wheeler tests at 20 grounds, 15 vehicles lacking insurance, and seven vehicles without smoke test certificates. Furthermore, 16 instances involved driving school instructors aiding test takers, contrary to regulations.

To address these issues, the Motor Vehicle Department must upgrade testing grounds with modern facilities akin to those in foreign countries, even if through collaboration with private entities. Ensuring compliance with regulations by those responsible for enforcing them is crucial for upholding road safety standards.