EDITORIAL – Producing better, quality drivers

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will soon be introducing stricter methods in the application for a new driver’s license and the renewal of driver’s license and student driver’s permit as the national government pushes for better and quality road users in the country.

Called the "Enhanced driving school accreditation and standardized driver training and educations for applicants of student-driver's permit and driver's license," the new LTO program centers on the need to heighten the knowledge of a driver’s license applicant.

Under this program, new driver's license applicants must have training or driving lessons from driving schools accredited by the LTO. The agency has been conducting consultations with driving schools around the country.

We hope that through this program, only those who are truly qualified can acquire a driver’s license. Therefore, the LTO should make sure those it grants the permission to drive have all the skills and knowledge that would make them worthy of the privilege.

We cannot deny the fact that many of those who possess a driver’s license are not really qualified to drive. And these are the kind of drivers who acquired their license under the table, through the help of fixers mushrooming around LTO offices.

Undeniably, most road accidents in the country occurred because there are drivers who chose to disregard traffic rules. And the main reason why they tend to violate road regulations is that they lack prudence and caution necessary to drive safely.

Following traffic regulations is itself a skill necessary in driving safely to avoid accidents. Sadly, there are those who do not have any business using the roads but have been granted the license to drive, as they managed to bribe their way to acquire one.

The need to strengthen rules in acquiring a driver’s license has long been a serious challenge for the LTO. So let us see whether this new program can live up to public expectations, as the agency strives to produce better and quality drivers.