Panel on road mishaps suggests increasing age limit for driving licence

Thiruvananthapuram: A commission of inquiry, set up by the State government to look into causes of frequent motor accidents, has recommended measures, including increasing the age limit for driving licence and restricting use of vehicles by students for only education purpose.

In his report submitted to Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan here, Commissioner of Inquiry Justice T K Chandrasekhara Das also suggested removal of roadside hoardings, fixing speed governors in lorries and special training for drivers of public transport vehicles.

The commission, appointed by the state government to look into the causes for frequent accidents and recommend remedies for preventing them, said roadside structures such as hoardings obscure the sight of drivers of vehicles and suggested they be removed urgently.

"Waiting sheds, hundis of temples, churches, mosques and flag posts etc are creating hurdles for the pedestrians to walk and these structures should be removed from the roadside," the report said.

It also recommended that the government start a Technical Course lasting for about eight to ten months for education and training of drivers aspiring to drive public transport vehicles.

Buses, trucks and lorries should be allowed to be driven by those candidates who have obtained special qualification from the Technical institute, the report said.

Tipper lorries speed should be restricted by fixing speed governors, the report said. Speed of vehicles should be restricted in accordance with road conditions.

The report wanted to fix the age limit for getting driving licence to 20 for men and 21 for women.

Students should be permitted to use vehicles only for their education purpose and the vehicle should have a special sticker 'Students Only'.