Driving lessons could become part of high school curriculum

The Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) is to implement a programme which will ensure learner drivers are given the opportunity to develop and enhance their skills.

According to Transport Minister Dipuo Peters, a driving simulator programme will be implemented during the 2017/18 financial year.

Speaking at Soshanguve East Secondary School on Tuesday to hand over the Torch of Peace to Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, Peters said her department would be working with the Department of Basic Education to include driving lessons at high school as part of the curriculum.

“We also have a partnership with the Department of Basic Education to ensure the inclusion of road safety in the curriculum and the training of teachers. This essentially entails different aspects of road safety awareness which are intended to adequately skill new drivers,” Peters added.

The Department of Transport is in the process of finalising the Graduated Driving Licence framework.

“I have no doubt that road safety education that starts at an early age should be one of the core focus areas in assisting us to turn the tide as far as road deaths are concerned. Formal education and training will remain important but we must also broaden our minds and find ways to include road safety messages into the wider curriculum, into mathematics and science, geography and civic education,” Peters said.

The Department of Transport is also in discussion with the Department of Health to deploy blood analysts, district surgeons, registered nurses or medical officers during law enforcement operations in order to take a specimen of an arrested driver’s blood on site for immediate scientific analysis.

“The analysis will enable an expert to ascertain the presence and estimated quantity of alcohol in the person’s blood at the time of the examination,” Minister Peters said. – SAnews.gov.za