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Dr Mpofu

Farai Kuvirimirwa Herald Reporter—
Prospective drivers will soon use computers for provisional driver’s licence tests as Government moves to stamp out corruption in that area. The Central Vehicle Registry is already installing equipment for that purpose. Director for Transport in the Transport and Infrastructural Development Ministry Mr Allowance Sango made this revelation at the Coach and Bus Operators (COBUS) annual exhibition that started in Harare yesterday.

The new system would be implemented under the international transport information management system to integrate information from the driver, the vehicle and police.

“It will assist in stamping out corruption where people sit for provisional licence examinations on behalf of others,” said Mr Sango. “It is going to be implemented at all centres across the country for all those wishing to obtain driver’s licences.

“The computer will mark the examination and produce results which will be transferred to the printer and this saves time that was previously wasted by the old system. Other countries that are using the system include India.

“The system will register a thumb print, photograph and the national identification number, thereby producing an instant provisional driver’s licence. It is faster than the current manual system and the touch screen computers will do everything for us.”

Under the new system, candidates will answer questions that are different from others to curb copying.
Mr Sango said those who are computer illiterate will get a brief orientation before sitting for the exams.

He said police at roadblocks would have equipment linked to a central system to easily detect authenticity of licences and to check for road traffic-related offences.

Transport Minister Dr Obert Mpofu, who was the guest of honour at the exhibition, said the new system would make the country’s roads safer.

“The new system will assist us in our endeavour to reduce road carnage,” he said.
He said they had authorised CMED (Pvt) Ltd to identify suitable equipment and relevant technology to achieve efficiency.

Dr Mpofu said his ministry was contemplating reintroducing fixed and computerised speed monitoring cameras on the roads to be operated in conjunction with the police.