Dear Editor,
This is a response to Ranthoko Rakgoale's comments about the inefficiency of the K53 drivers test.
I did my code 8 drivers license test in 1997 during which time the K53 test had already been in place. To me it seemed that the test consisted of a lot of checking your mirrors and blind spots, a habit that I have kept for the last 12 years and one that has prevented me from having accidents on more than one occasion.
For the past three years I have switched from four wheels to two. It is during this time that I have come to notice just how many people do not follow the principles taught in the K53 test.
The process for changing lanes starts off with checking mirrors and blind spots, then switching on your turn signal and the doing the mirror blind spot check again before proceeding when if is safe to do so.
In practise things work differently. Mostly people start changing lanes first and then, if they bother to, switch on their indicators and might then check if it is actually safe.
This brings me to the big question then. Exactly what is the matter with the K53 test according to minister Rakgoale?
If the result of his investigation is that people do not under normal circumstances drive the way the K53 test requires then should he not rather be concerned with why people disregard the training?
There is nothing wrong with the test. Anyone who has legitimately passed the K53 has all the knowledge and skill to safely drive on South African roads. It is the habits developed after this test that are the problem. As for the cause of that problem I can only guess that it has something to do our nation's "only obey when the authorities are watching" attitude.
Werner van Aswegen
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Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.