Botswana has launched a computerised driver testing ground known as ‘Intelligent Driver Testing System.’
Speaking during the media tour of the facility, the Minister of Transport and Communications, Thulagano Segokgo, said the facility, which is fully computerised with checks and balances to eliminate corrupt practices, reduced human error or manipulation, facilitated free, fair and transparent testing, was a first in Botswana and Africa.
Segokgo said, “For the road test, majority of the test parameters are computerised, leaving only a few non-automated ones, subject to manual input such as learner driver observations and response to emergency situations. Given the setup of this testing facility, government-owned vehicles fitted with computerised gadgets linked to the system are used to facilitate driver testing for candidates at no cost.”
Speaking further, he stated, “This technology is currently in use and fully utilised in some of the highly industrialised countries such as the Republic of Georgia, Russia, China and Malaysia and has proven to be effective. In Africa, very soon Rwanda would be launching the same testing facility like Botswana.”
He noted that the first batch of driver candidates had already used the facility, and would act as its ambassadors. He implored other driver training providers such as Botswana Police and Botswana Defence Force to also adopt the same technology to enhance driver competency in the country.
According to Segokgo, the facility which embraces the 4th Industrial Revolution, was conceived as a result of the country’s strategic intentions outlined in the National Road Safety Strategy,
“This facility comes at a critical time where there is a global need to improve driver competency through the use of standardised driver training as well as the use of objective and fair assessment systems and practices as per the United Nations strategic initiative to reduce road traffic accidents and their associated socio economic impact,” he said.
