Wee: Punishing driving schools is RTD head's personal view

 

The Transport Ministry has stressed that the revocation of driving institute permits and withdrawal of certification from instructors who have a record of road accidents are not in line with its views.

Its minister Wee Ka Siong said the move does not represent any policy by the ministry but simply the personal opinion of Road Transport Department (RTD) director-general Zailani Hashim.

"The Transport Ministry would like to stress that revoking driving institute permits and withdrawing the certificates of instructors who have taught many license holders involved in road accidents are only a personal view of Zailani and not a policy by the ministry," he said in a statement.

Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong

Wee added that any policy or proposals for improvement will first be studied holistically and scientifically by the ministry, taking into account various relevant aspects including effectiveness, feasibility and ability to achieve the set objectives.

"The ministry does not want to recklessly point fingers at certain parties and subsequently blame them solely based on unfounded assumptions or hypotheses," he said, adding that a detailed study involves an engagement session with all stakeholders to get views and suggestions for improvement.

"At the same time, the ministry, alongside agencies under it, will continue existing advocacy and enforcement activities to raise public awareness on compliance with road rules as well as road safety aspects throughout the country.

"The ministry is committed to ensuring that roads remain safe for all," he said.

Wee’s statement came after RTD’s announcement on Jan 31 of its plans to suspend or revoke the permits of driving institutes if many of their former students are found to have committed traffic offences and have been involved in road accidents.

Zailani had mentioned that based on statistics from the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department of the police force and the RTD, 80 percent of road accidents were due to human negligence. - Mkini