Department of Transport digitising roadworthy testing in bid to curb corruption
The Department of Transport (DOT) says it has taken a significant leap forward in the efficiency and modernisation of its services through a new initiative that will see vehicle roadworthy testing become digitised.
This initiative, which was launched by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, at the Middleburg Testing Station on Monday, will see all Vehicle Testing Stations (VTSs) across South Africa introducing digital technology in order to help stamp out corruption as well as improving accuracy and reduce waiting times.
Its aim is to streamline the roadworthiness testing process by eliminating paper-based methods.
The digitisation process comes at a cost of R40 million, and is already being rolled out at 307 of the 529 testing stations across the country that are currently run by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
“We are creating a digital footprint in the network and in the system, and we are ensuring that the human element has got checks and balances through technological means,” Hlengwa said.
“We believe it is a good investment and we’ve also got initiatives to actually go to the DLTCs with the law enforcement agencies to clamp down on the corrupt elements.”
Hlengwa said unroadworthy vehicles ranked among the top three causes of vehicle crashes and that during the upcoming festive season his department, together with law enforcement authorities, would implement a zero tolerance approach on our roads.
The DOT is also planning to introduce smart technologies to Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) as revealed by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy in response to a parliamentary question last month.
The Minister said her department was currently in the process of rolling out Smart Enrolment Units at all Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) throughout the country, following a successful pilot phase.
The RTMC is developing an electronic Driving Licence test application system, which digitises the test while also introducing features such as biometric identification and geofencing.
A computerised Learner’s Licence Test has already been rolled out in seven provinces, with the Western Cape set for inclusion later this year.
IOL