To combat rogue examiners who have graduated thousands of unqualified individuals in exchange for bribes, theory tests for trainee drivers will be moved to digital platforms.
The changes will be implemented as part of a strategy to reduce road carnage in the country by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the European Union (EU).
The digital system seeks to reduce human interaction during drive testing to improve the quality of drivers on Kenyan roads.
According to studies, 85 percent of road traffic accidents are caused by human error, most of which is related to driving difficulties.
“The automated process will ensure the authority conducts driver tests efficiently and effectively, improving the quality of testing as a result of reduced human interaction.
“The desired role of the automated theory test is to ensure elimination of human interaction in driver testing to improve the quality of drivers on our roads through improved driver skill, knowledge and the right behaviour towards driving,” NTSA stated as reported by Nation.
According to the NTSA, this will be necessitated by the deployment of simulators and training vehicles for all driving classes.
The NTSA claims that with the digital driving tests, all drivers in the country will be subjected to a standardised set of driving theory.
“It is therefore important that drivers are provided with the appropriate knowledge, skills, attitudes and experience for positive behavioural change that consequently enables them to drive safely” NTSA said.
According to the EU and NTSA, consultants will create a database of at least 5,000 theory questions.
NTSA will validate these questions, which will be based on the existing curriculum regarding international best practices for all thematic driver testing domains.
According to statistics, the number of road accidents seen on Kenyan roads indicates that at least 3,000 people die each year as a result of accidents.
