An agricultural expert, Fosu Samuel, has called on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to strengthen its licence renewal procedures by conducting more thorough assessments of drivers before renewing their licences.
According to him, the DVLA should pay closer attention to the mental fitness and overall competence of drivers to ensure that only responsible and capable individuals remain behind the wheel.
Speaking in relation to recent road crashes, Mr. Samuel cited the fatal accident that occurred ahead of the Muslim Salah celebration at Nkenkaasu, which claimed 12 lives. He suggested that some accidents could be linked to underlying mental health conditions or impaired judgment among drivers.
“When you look at the accident that happened before the Salah celebration at Nkenkaasu where 12 people died, it may happen that the driver had a mental health issue. Within a short time, the mind can change while driving and something may push the person into dangerous overtaking, which can kill many people,” he said.
He further noted that some drivers return to the roads after being involved in serious accidents without undergoing proper medical or mental health evaluations.
“Some drivers may stay home for one year or more after an accident. When they recover, they do not go to the hospital for mental check-ups before they start driving again. This also contributes to road accidents,” he added.
Mr. Samuel stressed that regular medical assessments and strict enforcement of licensing regulations are essential to improving road safety and protecting both motorists and pedestrians.
He therefore urged the DVLA to tighten its licence renewal processes as part of broader efforts to reduce road accidents and promote responsible driving across the country.
The remarks were made in an interview with Richard Nana Akwasi Poku, Programmes Manager of Royals FM 104.7 MHz in Wenchi.
