The mantra of shared road responsibility rings hollow during the daily rush hour, a period marked by vehicular anarchy. Cars and motorcycles engage in a relentless struggle for space, with even designated bicycle lanes becoming overrun by two-wheeled interlopers. The sheer volume of vehicles on our roads, compounded by the constant influx of new drivers and riders, exacerbates the problem.
The ease with which driver’s licenses are obtained raises a critical question: who is truly educating these new road users? While driving schools offer structured instruction, their cost remains prohibitive for a significant portion of the population. Consequently, a vast majority of new drivers learn through informal, often inadequate, instruction from friends or family.
This disparity in training results in a system where a driver with minimal, informal instruction receives the same license as someone who completed a comprehensive driving course. The outcome is a surge in poorly informed and discourteous drivers and riders, who demonstrate a blatant disregard for traffic signs and basic road etiquette.
The lack of standardized driver education contributes significantly to the perilous and congested conditions of our roads. The ability to pass a basic driving test does not equate to the necessary skills and knowledge for safe road navigation. This situation necessitates a serious review of our driver licensing procedures and a stronger emphasis on accessible, comprehensive driver education to mitigate the growing dangers on our streets. The current system, where informal learning is deemed equivalent to professional training, needs urgent reform to ensure safer roads for everyone.