Can a driving licence guarantee road safety?

After the death of a university student in a recent road crash in Dhaka, the city corporations and DMP seemed very concerned and promised to take corrective steps. There is a major concern among the public about drivers not having driving licences or fitness certificates for their vehicles. But can having a driving licence really guarantee road safety?

I myself have a light vehicle driver licence and we all know that it is very easy to get a licence here: learn how to drive from an “ostad” (another rough driver), find a “broker”, fix the fee, hand him all papers and finally attend the driving test on the scheduled day. Even this is not required sometimes. 

Most commercial and non-commercial drivers take licence through a “broker”. So having a BRTA-issued driving licence and fitness certificate do not necessarily guarantee that road safety will be ensured. The authorities should provide a comprehensive course prior to issuing licence which will ensure that everyone who gets a licence has complete and tested knowledge required for being a driver.

Shafayet Hossain, By e-mail