Police have defended new regulation which required drivers to be tested on driving skills including traffic rules and state of vehicle engines.

They said it will help to “drastically reduce road accidents” in the country

The new rule, which has been welcomed by the public and came into effect on Monday, has been opposed by the Gambia Transport Union. 

The Union said the police cannot determine the competency of a driver in just a driving test.

But police spokesman Superintendent Lamin Njie defended the clampdown on unqualified drivers. 

“That’s the endeavour that we are trying to partake because we want to see that by all mean necessary, we ensure that road traffic accidents are drastically reduced and we are coming up with a host of activities to ensure that driving and vehicle licenses are properly issued.”

“We will test the machine [engine] and composition of the vehicle will all be tested to see whether it is really roadworthy and once that’s done, the vehicle will be certified road worthy.

“And then the drivers will be taken through a test on highway code [signs on the highways] and also your driving skills will be tested and at the end of the day you will be given a competent certificate and that will be what you use to go and get your driving license,” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba