New traffic system exposes flaws

• l Experienced drivers failing basic questions
• l Road Traffic authorities express shock

Newly introduced Malawi Traffic Information System (Maltis) has exposed flaws in the way driving licences were being issued to successful candidates over the years as experienced drivers are failing basic tests under the new system.

Statistical data obtained from the Department of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS) since the roll-out of Maltis in May this year show that, among others, candidates with over 20 years of driving experience are failing basic questions relating to driving and the highway code.

In addition, the data also shows that during the first month, the passing rate was pegged at three percent and in the following month, in June, the rate went up to 33 percent.

In an interview on the developments, DRTSS director Jacques Manong’a expressed disappointment at the low pass rate, but was optimistic that Maltis would bring sanity on the roads of Malawi.

Said the director: “We were very shocked. I personally could not believe the results. We have people who have been driving for over 30 years failing to answer how many passengers one can carry on a motorbike, imagine.

“How did such a person obtain their driving licence? And how many of such [drivers] are out there hiding? As Road Traffic Directorate, we have had enough of this and it must stop. The Maltis is here to stay.”

Manong’a said things are looking positive this month with high chances of the passing rate going up.

He said the directorate printed about 200 000 copies of the highway code which were in stock before Maltis was introduced.

Said Manong’a:  “As we are talking now, the books were sold out and we are printing more. The preliminary results for July are above 50 percent and this is what we want.”

Two weeks ago, Truck Drivers Association of Malawi petitioned the principal secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Moffat Chitimbe, to consider revising the driver age limit and some components in the highway code, arguing that some drivers have since “forgotten”.

Further, the letter raised concerns the process of driving licence renewal, claiming it is not necessary.

The association’s chairperson, Philip Phiri, confirmed that his group authored the letter.

But Chitimbe dismissed the association’s position, saying if government listened to their petitions, it would be compromising on safety issues.

Said Chitimbe: “Already, Malawi has the highest number of road accidents in the Sadc [Southern African Development Community] region and with the results we are getting from the Maltis, we cannot dispute this any further.

“And if we say drivers as old as 60 must continue to drive a commercial vehicle, what are we, as government, saying? Are we wishing road users safety? Or, we are giving road users a ticket to hell? We cannot allow this.”

Chitimbe also said government is disappointed at the low levels of pass rate, saying the results speak volumes regarding how some drivers obtained their driving licences in the past.

He said: “It is a serious matter for someone with so much experience to fail. It means they are not competent. We were giving licences to all those who should not be on the road.

“They need to go back and learn the highyway code. It is about their safety. There is nothing that has been re-invented. Everything was already there only that they were not being implemented.”

Maltis is a computerised traffic information management system first introduced in 2001 to provide registration of motor vehicles, operators, the recording and authorisation of driving licences and professional driving permits. The upgraded version was rolled out in May this year, but is facing implementation hiccups.