PPC CALLS FOR ROAD LAW REVIEW FOLLOWING FREQUENT ROAD ACCIDENTS

By Samuel RAITANO

Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander John Sagom has voiced a strong concern for relevant authorities with police to look at revisiting issuance of driving license, especially Public Motor Vehicles (PMV).

He said this was his serious call, and should be taken into consideration if we would want to save more lives from unnecessary road accidents.

Sagom says a prompt collective approach by relevant stakeholders is urgently required to address this issue.

“I would rather recommend that all PMV drivers must undergo strict driving tests before being issued with a certified PMV driver’s license,” he said.

That means PMV driver’s must also obtain and hold a “fit and proper person test certificate” issued by Superintendent of Motor Traffic, to present to police at all times and failure to produce that certificate upon demand by police, automatically disqualifies a PMV Driver, and a hefty penalty must be imposed on offenders.

Meanwhile, PPC Sagom is now calling on drivers and owners of PMVs moving along the highlands highway, to take care of their passengers because they pay fares, expecting safe transportation to their destinations. He mentioned this in light of a recent nasty vehicle accident in the province that left eight dead and dozens injured.

He said there have been quite a number of bad accidents claiming innocent lives prematurely due to carelessness of drivers.

“Driving a PMV is not a joke,” PPC Sagom warned.

It that regard he calls on all his police traffic units to be very strict on PMV drivers testing procedures before issuing PMV driver’s license.

“Police must get harder on the enforcement of traffic laws since most of the accidents are caused by high speeding, alcohol consumption while driving and inexperienced drivers,” he said.

He added that frequent number of accidents on the highlands highway claiming innocent lives was a great concern now.