KOCHI: Despite the state government revising the upper speed limit of all vehicles on highways and four-lane roads in 2014, the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) is still living in ignorance. Sample this. The MVD has fixed the answer for the maximum permissible speed limit for motorcycles at 60 kmph. But as per the renewed rule, the speed limit is 70 kmph.
It is ironical that MVD, which claims to have been conducting awareness programmes to check the accident rate, is blind about the mistakes it teaches the aspiring drivers. The department is yet to correct the learners software. The aforementioned example is just a tip of the iceberg. For instance, the maximum speed limit of an auto rickshaw near an educational institution for the test is 35 kmph. But it has been amended to 30 kmph two years ago. Similarly, the maximum speed limit of four wheelers has been revised to 90 kmph but the MVD has kept the figure at 70 kmph. “I read that speed limit for four wheelers was increased to 90 kmph and two wheelers to 70 kmph. I received two questions during the learner’s test. One was about the upper speed limit for light motor vehicles and I had to choose from among 70 kmph, 50 kmph and 40 kmph. I told one of the officers that the right answer is missing from the options. He told me to give answer as per the old syllabus,” said Bibin K, an engineering student who had appeared for driving test at Alappuzha RTO office.
An MVD official blamed the top brass of the department for the predicament. “It is not good to impart wrong lessons about road safety. No one is bothered about the wrong options in the test. Officers implemented the latest fee structure in offices within hours of receiving the order. So, it is not the time but the attitude of the higher officials,” said an MVD officer.
Those associated with a Kochi-based driving school said they have made several requests to MVD to update the test. “We tell the people coming to our institution that speed limit of vehicles has been changed. But we provide them with the outdated booklet so that they can prepare for the learners test. We had informed MVD officers about the mistakes. They claimed the matter was taken up with the higher authorities in Thiruvananthapuram,” said a driving instructor. Attempts to contact the Transport Commissioner did not succeed.