DVLA must involve driver unions in testing drivers - GPRTU

Accra, May 20, GNA - Mr Kwaku Frimpong, 37 branch Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), has called on the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Department (DVLA) to involve driver unions in the testing of drivers.

He said the union leaders could offer advice on which type of vehicles to be used to test the driver apprentices before they are issued with the appropriate licenses.

Mr Frimpong made the call when elections were conducted for nine branches of GPRTU executive officers in Accra.

The areas are Accra/Swedru, La Taxi, Lapaz/Tabora/Israel, Kaneshie Peugeot Express, Accra/Senya Beraku, Accra/Begoro, Teshie First Junction Taxi, New Town Timber Market.

Mr Frimpong said the driver apprentices are trained with 207 or Sprinter buses in three years but the DVLA test them with saloon cars and are issued with license 'B'.

He said the situation create problems to the drivers, adding that union leaders are not against the schooling of drivers.

He said the three-week training by private driving schools is inadequate and is a major cause of road crashes in the country.

'People must be given enough time to be conversant with the rudiments of driving,' he said.

Reverend Emmanuel Kwade, Chairman La Taxi branch, called on government to build stronger partnership with driver unions to assist in the rehabilitation of roads.

Nana Kwasi Adu, Chairman of the Kaneshie Peugeot Express advised drivers to be members of a station and a union to help build a formidable force in the transport industry.

GNA