Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma of the Rajasthan High Court has directed the state transport authorities to withdraw driver’s licence issued to illiterate persons, terming them a “menace for the pedestrians“.
To this end, the Court’s order states,
“The license cannot be allowed to be issued for driving any kind of vehicle to an illiterate person as he is virtually a menace for the pedestrians as he would not be in a position to understand road signs and notices of caution written on boards for human safety on the highways as well as on the roads in the cities.
The license of Light Motor Vehicles issued to the petitioner and similar persons also must be therefore withdrawn in the light of what has been stated herein above.“
The order was passed in a petition filed by a light vehicle motor vehicle license holder seeking the Court’s intervention in obtaining a transport vehicle licence. The petitioner submitted that he had been driving light motor vehicles for 13 years before he sought the transport licence.
However, the matter took an ironic turn when the Court instead focused on the fact that the petitioner had been issued his driver’s licence although he was illiterate and unable to read or write. This led the Court to observe,
“In the opinion of this court, the Motor Vehicle Rules are required to be framed not only for the benefit of persons who seek license but also taking into consideration the public who are using the roads.
The license cannot be allowed to be issued for driving any kind of vehicle to an illiterate person as he is virtually a menace for the pedestrians as he would not be in a position to understand road signs and notices of caution written on boards for human safety on the highways as well as on the roads in the cities.”
After ordering that the driver’s licence issued to the petitioner as well as all other illiterate persons be withdrawn, the Court also directed the state authorities to lay down guidelines in this regard.
“The State Transport Authorities are directed to issue appropriate instructions in this regard laying down guidelines. Action should also be taken where licenses have been issued to persons who are unable to read and write. “
The authorities have also been directed to file a report of the action taken within a month. The case has been posted to be taken up next on July 5.
Read the Order: