Friday, 2 January 2015

Motorists say drivers under training a danger on roads

Drivers no longer fear other reckless drivers exceeding speed limits, but drivers under training who move at extremely slow speeds and are incapable of driving well enough to join the rest of the normal traffic.
Experienced drivers point to the many problems they face on the streets of Saudi cities, mainly traffic jams, excavations and detours.
“Most of the streets have become driving schools for Asian drivers who drive modern and expensive cars before they can acquire a driving license,” a seasoned Saudi driver told Arab News.
“I personally stay away a safe distance from any car showing the sticker which says ‘driver under training’,” said driver Sultan Suleiman. “I wonder how employers managed to recruit them as chauffeurs if they cannot drive in the first place,” he added, referring to foreign workers.
Another driver, Mohammad Ahmad, said he was almost victim of an accident caused by an inexperienced driver. “For how long will we have these ticking bombs on our streets?,” he complained.
The Ministry of Labor explained that it has forced recruiting offices in the past to only recruit licensed drivers. The ministry noted it has included this condition as well as other requirements to grant visas, with the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Labor Ministry confirmed that it is not responsible for tracking or cracking down on these unlicensed drivers, or to put in place a system to prevent them from driving vehicles while training. “It is the responsibility of other government bodies to do so,” said the ministry.
Labor Ministry spokesman Tayseer Al-Mufrij said the ministry requires a valid Saudi driving license when the driver reaches the Kingdom, and to conduct a driving test as a prerequisite to practice the profession. “If he cannot drive, the regulations of the ministry force the recruiting office to hire another driver,” said Al-Mufrij.
The ministry advised people who are affected from such practices to file a complaint on the Mussaned website.

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