RTA Chairman meets with executives of driving learning institutes

"This is important for creating drivers committed with the rules and regulations of driving and traffic, minimizing the percentage of accidents resulting from attitudes of drivers, which is accounts for 10% of accidents causes in Dubai, reducing the rate of traffic offences, and disseminating world-class driving methods," commented Al Tayer.

This was revealed in an extended meeting held by Al Tayer with the presidents & directors of driving learning institutes in the presence of Engineer Maitha bin Adai, CEO of Traffic & Roads Agency, Engineer Ali Al Jassim, Director of Licensing Dep't, Dr. Aysha Al Busmait, Director of Marketing & Corporate Communication Dep't, Ahmed Bahrozyan, Director of Development & Corporate Performance Dep't as well as number of departmental directors of the RTA.

From the driving institutes attended Amer Ahmad Balhasa, Director of Emirates Driving Learning Institute, Saif Ahmad Balhasa, President of Balhasa Driving Learning Institute, Ali Bujsaim, Chairman of Al Ahli Driving Learning Institute, Ahmad Al Aiyali, Director of Dubai Driving Learning Institute, Naser Yousuf, Director of Galadari Driving Learning Institute, Adel Noori, Managing Partner of Al Ahli Driving Learning Institute, and Hani Kamal Mohammadi, Director of Tests Dep't at Balhasa Center.

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, stated that upgrading the skills of drivers in driving under various conditions, improving their driving skills, and acquainting them with traffic rules and offences as well as the means of averting offences to create a generation of ideal drivers, has a priority in the strategy of the RTA. He pointed out that traffic safety levels in Dubai, though better than some neighbouring countries & cities, falls short of the prevailing levels in advanced countries in this field. Fatality rate is about 20 cases per 100 thousand of populations in Dubai, whereas this figure is not more than 6 fatalities per 100 thousand of population in countries like UK and Swede for example.

"RTA is about to finalize a comprehensive directory to develop and upgrade the level of procedures & methodology of training and licensing drivers with a view to develop the mechanism of training drivers and testing regimes, in addition to promoting traffic awareness and education among drivers applying for driving licenses," added Al Tayer.

The meeting discussed the importance of rotating testers between institutes such that the tester shall not remain for a long period in one institute. A quarter yearly meeting was held between RTA and directors of institutes to discuss communication explore difficulties and identify new developments. The meeting also discussed the training areas where drivers' training is permissible and the timing of training drivers at certain roads.

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer attended to the briefing of representatives of Driving Learning Institutes, who called for increasing the number of testers to accommodate the increasing number of trainees wishing to obtain driving licenses. He explored the possibility of establishing a society of Driving Learning Institutes in Dubai. The Chairman of the Board & Executive Director of the RTA directed to employ more testers, and prepare plan detailing permissible training areas along with training timing, and circulate it among all institutes for compliance.

At the end of the meeting Al Tayer hailed the efforts made by some Driving Learning Institutes, which provided awareness programs in the form of lectures & bulletins that proved useful to trainees. He also praised their keen attention to introduce modern technology in upgrading the skills and potentials of trainees.