Commercial drivers threaten another demo

Members of the Ghana Committed Drivers Association (GCDA) have threatened to protest against the Drivers’ Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) and insurance companies in the country on August 31, 2015 over unbearable and impracticable policies imposed on them.

They said some policies under the amended road traffic regulations (LI 2180), which is currently being implemented by the DVLA, coupled with exorbitant increment in insurance policies, are unfavourable.

The commercial drivers have given DVLA, insurance companies and the Ministry of Roads and Transport a week’s ultimatum to immediately change the current guidelines.

The aggrieved members of the GCDA included drivers of tankers, taxi, tipper trucks, articulated trucks, among others.

Addressing a news conference in Tema, Adarkwa William, Secretary of the driver’s association, mentioned that the over 100 percent increment in insurance premium had made life unbearable for them.

“It has come to our notice that insurance premium has been increased by over 400 percent and we think it is too much for us to bear, looking at the present economic condition, we suggest that it should be at least 100 percent respectively,” he stated.

According to him, some policies of the DVLA such as the fixing of seat belts in cargo vans, which has been converted into passenger cars, must be abolished.

“The DVLA has introduced biometric roadworthy stickers but unfortunately all the roads on which we are driving on are not in good shape,” he stated.

He noted that they were also unable to acquire driving licenses because of the requirement for a Basic School Certificate, which most of the drivers do not have.

Mr. Adarkwa said refusing to grant licenses to illiterates constitute a gross violation of their human rights since about 40 percent of Ghanaians are not educated.

The secretary stated that “computerised driving text in English language only is inappropriate and discriminatory. Our roads are bad thereby using automated and computerised roadworthy inspection would be high cost on us. “

On June 1, 2015, some commercial drivers across the country embarked on a strike to get the DVLA to treat them well, leaving passengers stranded at various lorry terminals.

The drivers had threatened to embark on massive strike to compel government to completely abolish the DVLA policies and reduce the price of insurance in the country.

They suggested to the DVLA to organise refresher courses quarterly for commercial drivers to upgrade their knowledge to reduce road accidents in the country.