Youth debate: Should a temporary license be introduced for young drivers

Since the beginning of the year, not a single week goes by without the country witnessing a fatal road accident. The phenomena has become a real societal scourge. Despite the introduction and announcement of palliative measures, the number of road accidents and road victims continue to rise. Is it time to introduce temporary driving license for young drivers?

Various countries in the world have their own set of rules and regulations when it comes to driving licenses. In Mauritius, the minimum age to apply for a driving license is 18 for cars and 15 years old for two-wheelers not exceeding 50cc. In order to benefit from a license, the applicants need to undergo two tests: oral and practical. The previous government implemented the Driving Licence Counterpart – which introduced a point-based penalty system – as a means to prevent reckless driving. With the new government, the system has been overhauled. With so many accidents daily, the question arises: what additional measures to be taken to curb the trend?

Yoan Rene: “Temporary license is a must” 

Yoan Rene believes that many young people have bad driving habits and hence it has become essential to introduce a temporary license for them. “Temporary driving licenses can become a means to have a better control over young drivers. Often, despite speed limits, drivers drive recklessly. Many young people are even drink-driving at night which often leads to disastrous accidents. Temporary driving licenses can help to restrain their desires and also protect lives,” he says.

Resaven Vencaten: “Driving requires an undivided attention”

Resaven Vencaten highlights that despite law enforcement, accidents are increasing day by day. “There are some young people who do not abide by rules and regulations. They drink and drive or they are using their cellphone while driving. The statistics show that many young people lose their lives while driving because they are distracted by some secondary activity. Driving requires an undivided attention. Having a driving license is a must, it helps lots of people to move from place to place. A temporary license can be beneficial as people will be compelled to become more careful,” he says.

Moozafar Cheergally: “Emphasis on educating future drivers” 

Moozafar Cheergally states that the high rate of accidents on our roads is something we should seriously think about. “Drivers should be more responsible on the road and take all the necessary precautions. Following the high rate of accidents, the government should come up with more severe laws. Police officers can’t watch out for all road users. By enforcing severe laws and precautionary measures, the number of accidents can be reduced. Young people should be given a temporary driving license for around one year. If well behaved on the road during that particular year, then it can be confirm as permanent.

During that particular year, drivers will tend to take the necessary precautionary measures while driving. In the long run, this can help to get rid of the bad habits of drivers while driving. On the contrary, if after that year a driver report shows road fatalities, multiple fines and exceeding speed limits, the driver’s license can be stopped, where he will not be able to drive for a given period of time or his license can be renewed the following year as a temporary one. I think this can help in reducing accidents. For sure if every citizen is responsible on the road, it will help a lot. Driving schools should also be part of it. More emphasis should be on educating future drivers about the dangers if all the precautionary measures are not respected. Speed thrills but kills.”

Vineshree Murdamootoo: “Drivers will become more respectful”

Vineshree Murdamootoo believes that young people needs a temporary driving license. “Having a temporary driving license will encourage young people to be more alert, respect the traffic signals, have more patience during peak hours and adopt a safety drive. The temporary driving license should be two years. The first year, the young driver should be accompanied by a person having a valid driving license with a minimum of three to four years of experience and having accomplished a number of hours, which should be noted in a logbook and sign by accompanied driver. This will help the young drivers to gain experience in handling different situations tactically.  Within the two years of temporary driving license, the young driver must not have even 0.01% of alcohol in the blood else a termination of the driving license. These rules will make youngsters to become more responsible on the road and would eventually decrease the number of accidents on our road.” 

Alvira Jahaleea: “It should last for two years”

Alvira Jahaleea states that as soon as someone turns 18, they rush to apply for the driving licence. “By nature, young people are adventurous. As soon as they are behind the wheel, they tend to show off and speed up. They are prone to take risks. In addition, young drivers get distracted by other activities while on the road, such as messaging, watching videos or even reading books. Many studies done by Geico, an insurance company, show that drivers aged between 15 and 18 are more likely to use a phone while driving than older drivers. Using cellphones and drink-driving have caused countless accidents. Finally, the most important point is the high number of road fatalities with respect to teenagers. Statistics have shown this age group has a higher probability of being involved in accidents. There should be a temporary license of at least 2 years.”

Ashley Rakesh Bullee: “It is not a solution” 

Ashley Rakesh Bullee believes that temporary driving license for youngsters is not a solution. “It is the system which has to be reviewed. Whether we are young or old, we all go through the same driving test and we are judged by our driving skills not our age. Youngsters are not the root cause of accidents and a temporary driving license will not have any real impact but it will rather give rise to more frustration.

The real issue is what happens once a person gets a driving license. We must inculcate a sense of responsibility in drivers rather than adding to their stress levels with the threat of their licence being suspended or cancelled. Stress is a contributing factor to road accidents. We cannot blame youngsters for the recent rise in the number of road accidents. We have to review the system in terms of driving lessons and road safety issues. Ironically, we deliver driving licences on practical tests only but we do not assess whether the person is mentally prepared for taking the road. In my opinion, we have to review the driving culture and make people responsible for their actions behind the wheel. Therefore, a temporary driving license is not the solution and will do more harm than good.”

Veetasha Jhummun: “It will promote safe driving”

Veetasha Jhummun argues that new drivers or young drivers should get a temporary driving license. This will act as a deterrent and prompt them to drive more carefully. “Statistics show that most accidents are made by young people as they drive carelessly and tend to speed. Moreover, new drivers are not highly experienced. In order to decrease the death rate on our roads; the government should implement a temporary driving license for young people. For example, the government should implement a rule concerning the temporary driving license.

Any young person will get a temporary driving license which will be renewed as a permanent driving license in six months provided no he/she hasn’t caused any accident. If this is the case, their temporary driving license should be terminated. This could be an efficient way to reduce the number of road accidents caused by young people. Temporary driving license should be implemented in order to help young people to gain more driving experience that is, as a learner and the driver should be accompanied with a permanent driving license holder to make sure that the youngster could learn more from the experienced driver.”

Tariq Jhungeer: “Penalty points are effective”

Tariq Jhungeer states that once someone passes his driving test, he should be given a permanent driving license. “Our youngsters need to learn how to abide by rules and regulations on the road and that proper driving is necessary. The penalty points are one good measure which is helpful for drivers to maintain a good driving conduct. They know if they do not drive well, this will be considered through security cameras or police officers on the road. And they will eventually be penalized, that is, their driving license will be taken away from them. But giving a temporary license and after a lapse of time, giving a permanent one, how far will this prevent road accidents?”