The management of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority wishes to explain to its cherished customers that the symbol ‘A’ and the glasses ( ) at the back of the New Smart Driver’s Licence is for the purpose of information and subsequent interpretation by enforcement agencies.
The same symbols, however, become RESTRICTIVE SYMBOLS when an applicant is deemed to be competent in driving an automatic vehicle ONLY or could drive ONLY with the aid of medicated glasses. At that point, both symbols or one of them, is placed on top of the photograph of the owner, on the front page of the Driver’s Licence, to restrict the driver to the type of vehicle to drive or request the driver to always drive with medicated glasses.
It becomes an offence punishable by law, when a driver who is restricted to driving an automatic vehicle ONLY, is found driving a manual vehicle or a driver who is supposed to drive with the aid of medicated glasses is found driving without the aid of glasses.
Have you ever noticed how much harder it is to pay attention in class or a meeting when you are tired? Do you ever notice yourself stifling a yawn or nodding off, only to catch yourself just in time? We’ve all been there. Whether it’s because we had a cough that kept us up all night or watched a few too many episodes of our favorite TV show, the result is typically the same. Not getting enough sleep has an impact on both our minds and bodies. Now, keep that in mind while you think about how many times you’ve gotten behind the wheel while tired. If you’ve gotten past one time, I’ve got some news for you: Drowsy driving is dangerous!
With the end-of-the-year holidays in sight, teen drivers must prepare for an all-too-common risk on the road: driver impairment.
Alcohol and teens are a dangerous mix. According to NHTSA, about 25 percent of teen car crashes involve an underage drinking driver, and Christmas and New Years are popular drinking holidays. All 50 states have zero tolerance underage drinking laws for a reason: inexperience already puts teens at high risk for a fatal crash and alcohol makes the odds much worse. Alcohol isn’t the only impairment danger, either. Teens must avoid all forms of impairment, including legal and illegal drugs which can affect reaction time, and fatigue. With a tradition of staying up well past midnight, New Year’s Eve is an especially concerning holiday for the risks of fatigue. Before these holidays begin, talk to your teen about the dangers of driving while impaired and help him or her understand the different substances and issues that can lead to impairment. If your teen plans to be out late for New Years, for example, make sure he or she has a plan to get home safe. Even if your teen understands the risks of driving while impaired, he or she is still likely to encounter other impaired drivers on the road. To stay safe, teens should be on the lookout for impaired drivers this time of year and take extra precautions, such as avoiding driving late at night. Remember, you set the example for your teen, so it is crucial that you avoid impaired driving yourself. Show your teen that it can be easy to enjoy the holidays and stay safe, and they’ll be more likely to follow your lead. Have a safe and happy holiday season and New Year!
