Time To Rethink Who A “driver” Really Is
In today’s rapidly changing world of mobility, road safety, and vehicle technology, one thing has surprisingly remained outdated: the official definition of a “driver.” In many of our legal and institutional systems, a driver is still defined by old-fashioned and traditional categories.
Take, for example, these widely cited definitions:
- DRIVER = noun—A person who drives a vehicle.
Oxford Dictionary of English—Second Edition, Revised. 2003, page 531.
- DRIVER = noun—one that drives, as the operator of a motor vehicle.
The American Heritage College Dictionary—Third Edition, 1997, page 421.
- DRIVER = noun—one that drive (a) coachman (b) the operator of a motor vehicle.
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary—Eleventh Edition, 2003, page 382.
The most recent example is found in the 2023 Ghana Highway Code, Section 9, page 76.
- “Any person who drives (moves) a motor vehicle or other vehicle or guides cattle, singly or in herds, or flocks or draught, pack or saddle animals on the road.”
While this may have made sense in earlier contexts in societies heavily dependent on animal transportation, its ongoing use today is not only outdated but also dangerously ineffective.
It is important to clarify that this observation is made without any disrespect or contempt toward anyone involved in traditional transport systems or animal husbandry. Every role has value in its appropriate context. However, for legal, professional, and safety-related driving standards, clarity is crucial.
What’s Wrong with This Definition?
This definition is very narrow and outdated because it:
- Fails to distinguish between a professional motor vehicle operator and someone herding animals.
- Reduces driving to mere motion, rather than a combination of skill, judgment, and responsibility.
- Undermines the professionalism and critical role of drivers in public safety, logistics, and national development.
In short, it does not reflect the real-world responsibilities of modern drivers, especially in a time when road crashes remain a leading cause of injury and death across Africa.
Driving Is Not Just Movement — It’s a Duty
Today, being a driver means more than turning a steering wheel. A driver is expected to perform several functions, including but not limited to:
- Making real-time safety decisions that affect lives.
- Operating heavy or high-tech machinery with precision.
- Navigating increasingly complex road networks and traffic laws.
- Serving as the face of public transport, logistics, or private travel.
This is not something we can casually equate with “guiding cattle” or merely herding animals.
According to Talib Rothengatter and Raphael D. Huguenin in their book Traffic and Transport Psychology: Theory and Application, “a broader definition of driving is preferred here because many problems connected to driving actually originate from outside the very narrow definition of driving.” This insight underscores the necessity to craft a more comprehensive, fit-for-purpose definition of who a “driver” is.
A Better Definition for Modern Ghana and the world at large
It is time to redefine the term "driver" in a way that is accurate, dignified, and aligned with national and international development goals. Here, I suggest a more comprehensive and appropriate definition:
“A driver is a trained and licensed individual entrusted with the operation of a motor vehicle, who upholds safety, courtesy, and professionalism in the transportation of passengers or goods, and ensures that the vehicle is roadworthy, well-maintained, and presentable at all times.” Or
“A driver is a trained and licensed individual responsible for operating a motor vehicle safely and professionally, ensuring the transportation of people or goods in a roadworthy and well-maintained vehicle.”
This definition elevates the role and emphasizes the point that driving is not just about movement — it’s about judgment, discipline, and accountability.
Why This Matters
The language we use shapes public perception. If we continue to downplay the role of drivers with vague, outdated definitions, we risk:
- Undermining road safety campaigns.
- Lowering the standards expected of drivers.
- Failing to attract or retain professional talent in the transport industry.
To improve road safety, driver professionalism, and respect for transport rules, we must first start with how we characterize the “driver” by framing the concept with an appropriate definition.
A Call to Action
I respectfully call on the Ministry of Transport, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), the national road safety authority, and all stakeholders to review and update the official definition of “driver” across all legal, training, and educational documents.
Let us align our words with our vision for safer, smarter, and more dignified roads in Ghana.
By Michael Osei Owusu, CMILT
Transport & Road Safety Consultant | Ace Transport & Road Safety Consult Ltd.
Author has 16 publications here on modernghana.com
Disclaimer: "The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect ModernGhana official position. ModernGhana will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements in the contributions or columns here."