BRUNEI-MUARA
Friday, March 5, 2010
(Top) Minister of Communications Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong (C) and Md Riza DP Haji Mohd Yunos (R), Director of Land Transport, touring the new Land Transport's driver training and testing complex at Sungai Akar. (Above) The Driver Training and Testing Complex at Sungai Akar. The government is reviewing requirements for becoming a driving instructor to reduce the number of road fatalities. Pictures: BT/Rudolf Portillo |
IN A bid to stem the rising number of deaths and injuries sustained in accidents on Brunei roads, the government is reviewing the requirements for becoming a driving instructor.
The review is expected to result in safer driving techniques imparted to learners, said the Minister of Communications yesterday at the opening of the Land Transport Department's new Driver Training and Testing Complex in Sungai Akar.
At the opening ceremony, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Land Transport and Megamas Training Sdn Bhd.
Under the MoU, Megamas Training identifies and develops training programmes with commensurate qualifications for the Department of Land Transport, with a view to train driving instructors in the Sultanate.
"It is the intention of the Ministry of Communications, especially the Department of Land Transport, to refine how driving schools in the country operate," said the minister, adding that driving schools should also fulfil the criteria of a learning institution.
In light of the "curriculum" taught at driving schools, the minister said, "Despite already having a curriculum, it is vital to study and review (what is taught) to ensure that prospective drivers are not only equipped with the theory of the laws and rules of the road, but (are taught to be) drivers who are safe, prudent and always cautious."
The registration system for driving instructors also has been amended and all instructors at driving schools are now required to fulfil relevant criteria in order to be registered as a driving instructor, said the minister.
The review is expected to result in safer driving techniques imparted to learners, said the Minister of Communications yesterday at the opening of the Land Transport Department's new Driver Training and Testing Complex in Sungai Akar.
At the opening ceremony, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Land Transport and Megamas Training Sdn Bhd.
Under the MoU, Megamas Training identifies and develops training programmes with commensurate qualifications for the Department of Land Transport, with a view to train driving instructors in the Sultanate.
"It is the intention of the Ministry of Communications, especially the Department of Land Transport, to refine how driving schools in the country operate," said the minister, adding that driving schools should also fulfil the criteria of a learning institution.
In light of the "curriculum" taught at driving schools, the minister said, "Despite already having a curriculum, it is vital to study and review (what is taught) to ensure that prospective drivers are not only equipped with the theory of the laws and rules of the road, but (are taught to be) drivers who are safe, prudent and always cautious."
The registration system for driving instructors also has been amended and all instructors at driving schools are now required to fulfil relevant criteria in order to be registered as a driving instructor, said the minister.
As part of the launch of the Driver Training and Testing Complex in Sungai Akar, Pehin Dato Hj Abu Bakar also presented certificates to driving schools that voluntarily took part in the Prudent Driver's Workshop organised by the Road Safety Council, which taught driving instructors vehicle maintenance, emergency aid and prudent driving with the aim of including the lessons in their own instruction to pupils.
"I hope that the knowledge learned during the workshop will be put into practice and taught to the prospective drivers who are being trained at these schools," said the minister.
He added that the premises or buildings used by driving schools need to emulate learning institutions as they are now subject to the same criteria in terms of cleanliness, safety and the comfort and convenience.
In his speech before touring the new facilities and a showcase from exhibitors involved with road safety and driver training, the minister said, "It is extremely important that we are sensitive and raise our awareness regarding safety whenever using our roads."
He pointed out that the number of accidents on Brunei roads rose from 2,775 in 2008 to 3,110 last year. Highlighting a sombre consequence of those statistics, he said, "We saw 54 deaths in 2007, and this dropped to 29 fatalities in 2008. However, this rose again to 38 in 2009."
The minister also pointed out the relatively consistent number of serious and minor injuries incurred in road accidents over the past three years. "Behind these numbers are stories of families who have lost a loved one they depend upon, destruction of property, which if you were to put a price on would be a high one," he said.
In light of the rising annual road toll, the minister emphasised the critical role played by the Department of Land Transport in developing competent drivers. "The Department of Land Transport is not only responsible for ensuring that the vehicles on Brunei's roads adhere to safety regulations, but also to ensure the quality of road users or drivers of vehicles fulfill the criteria as safe drivers," he said.
The minister lauded the efforts made by the department in carrying out several initiatives that he expects will enhance the level of quality in driver training by driving schools.
Among them, said the minister, the Land Transport Department has succeeded in streamlining registration of driving schools, awarded exemplary driving schools in a show of recognition of their achievement, and a revamp of the driver training curriculum as well as providing the new training and testing facility for driving schools to use.
However, he said that the efforts to lower road accident cases were not limited to providing infrastructure, signs and conducting safety campaigns. "One very important aspect is training," stressed the minister.
"We have to examine the training being given to prospective drivers, to see whether it is adequate in terms of theory and practice, producing drivers who are efficient, prudent, cautious and practice aspects of road safety at all times," he said.
-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
"I hope that the knowledge learned during the workshop will be put into practice and taught to the prospective drivers who are being trained at these schools," said the minister.
He added that the premises or buildings used by driving schools need to emulate learning institutions as they are now subject to the same criteria in terms of cleanliness, safety and the comfort and convenience.
In his speech before touring the new facilities and a showcase from exhibitors involved with road safety and driver training, the minister said, "It is extremely important that we are sensitive and raise our awareness regarding safety whenever using our roads."
He pointed out that the number of accidents on Brunei roads rose from 2,775 in 2008 to 3,110 last year. Highlighting a sombre consequence of those statistics, he said, "We saw 54 deaths in 2007, and this dropped to 29 fatalities in 2008. However, this rose again to 38 in 2009."
The minister also pointed out the relatively consistent number of serious and minor injuries incurred in road accidents over the past three years. "Behind these numbers are stories of families who have lost a loved one they depend upon, destruction of property, which if you were to put a price on would be a high one," he said.
In light of the rising annual road toll, the minister emphasised the critical role played by the Department of Land Transport in developing competent drivers. "The Department of Land Transport is not only responsible for ensuring that the vehicles on Brunei's roads adhere to safety regulations, but also to ensure the quality of road users or drivers of vehicles fulfill the criteria as safe drivers," he said.
The minister lauded the efforts made by the department in carrying out several initiatives that he expects will enhance the level of quality in driver training by driving schools.
Among them, said the minister, the Land Transport Department has succeeded in streamlining registration of driving schools, awarded exemplary driving schools in a show of recognition of their achievement, and a revamp of the driver training curriculum as well as providing the new training and testing facility for driving schools to use.
However, he said that the efforts to lower road accident cases were not limited to providing infrastructure, signs and conducting safety campaigns. "One very important aspect is training," stressed the minister.
"We have to examine the training being given to prospective drivers, to see whether it is adequate in terms of theory and practice, producing drivers who are efficient, prudent, cautious and practice aspects of road safety at all times," he said.
-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
