This was revealed by Transport and Infrastructural
Development deputy minister Mike Madiro in an interview with NewsDay.
Madiro said he was going to share the idea with experts in
his ministry. “I agree that we should move with time as a country. We cannot be
seen doing things the old way during these modern times,” he said.
“We are going to give that task to our experts and they
should give us a good reason why automatic cars should not be used at VID road
tests. If there is no reason to stop us from doing so, then we are definitely
going to consider it.”
Madiro said unlicensed drivers were the main cause of
accidents on the country’s roads. Passengers Association of Zimbabwe president
Tafadzwa Goliati welcomed the idea, saying it was long overdue.
“That will be the best move by the government because
three-quarters of cars on the roads right now are automatic vehicles. Most
drivers of those cars are unlicensed,” he said.
“We are so happy because that will help in reducing
accidents as we will have more competent drivers on our roads.”
Interviews by NewsDay with different motorists revealed
that unlicensed automatic car drivers preferred to pay bribes than to properly
acquire driving licences at VID due to the fact that the tests are done using
manual vehicles.
This has led to millions of dollars paid as bribes and
failing to reach the fiscus.
“Every driver wants to be licensed, but the VID instructors
concentrate mostly on how to drive a manual car than on mastery of road rules
and regulations,” John Zvekare, a pirate taxi driver, said.
“I personally feel VID should focus on producing a
competent driver on the road than expending their energy on teaching gear
shifting or hill start using manual cars.”
He said neighbouring countries like South Africa and
Namibia were already issuing drivers’ licences to people using automatic
vehicles. Newsday
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