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http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news..._S_TEST_FOR_DEAF_BEFORE_ISSUING_LICENSES_.asp
OPPOSITION Member of Parliament Joseph Hibbert wants answers from the government on the development of a policy to grant driver's licenses to totally deaf persons.
Hibbert told the House of Representatives Tuesday, that the Ministry of Transport and Works had, on June 16, gazetted instructions under the Road Traffic Act, allowing mild to profoundly deaf persons access to driver's licences.
He was speaking during debate of a motion from Sharon Hay-Webster (South Central St Catherine), urging the government to speed up tabling a national disabilities act.
Hibbert said that the conditions indicated in the notice was that deaf persons should produce a certificate from an audiologist certifying the level of deafness, and prove to the authorities that the appropriate devices had been installed in their motor vehicles to communicate the intensity of sounds coming from other vehicles.
Hibbert objected, saying that for a driver's licence to be granted, section 18 of the Road Traffic Act requires the passing of a driver's test and submission of a declaration that the applicant did not suffer from certain diseases, or disabilities, which could cause the driving of a motor vehicle to become a source of danger to the public.
The Road Traffic Regulations identified these diseases and disabilities as including total deafness, epilepsy, insanity, defective vision, loss of one or both hands or feet, and diseases associated with coordination.
Section 20 of the Road Traffic Act allows for the licensing of drivers suffering from some of these ailments provided a certifying officer can attest to the person's ability to drive.
But, says Hibbert, a road test must be administered.
Hibbert, a former chief technical officer in the Ministry of Transport and Works and chairman of the Island Traffic Authority (ITA), said that the licensing of disabled persons has long been a subject of discussion and debate at the Ministry.
He said that such persons from abroad often claimed that there were fewer restrictions overseas, and that, in any case, they can drive with their overseas licences.
But, the authorities are forced to refuse them because of the restrictions in the law.
He said that during his tenure at the ministry, he had met with representatives of the Combined Disabilities Association and explained the problems, including the requirements of the law, to them. He said that one problem was configuring the right test suitable to their disability.
"Neither the Island Traffic Authority, the Minister nor the government has the means to administer a road test for the potentially deaf driver," said the opposition parliamentarian.
In the meetings to be held between the ITA and the disabilities association to discuss the issue, Hibbert suggested that the discussions look at the method of testing.
"Until then, I am cautioning against issuing licences to persons who are totally deaf," Hibbert said.
"I am willing to support any measure that will allow the physically challenged to achieve their full potential but I cannot, in good faith, support any action or measure that will be a source of danger to the public, including the persons they are attempting to assist," he said.
OPPOSITION Member of Parliament Joseph Hibbert wants answers from the government on the development of a policy to grant driver's licenses to totally deaf persons.
Hibbert told the House of Representatives Tuesday, that the Ministry of Transport and Works had, on June 16, gazetted instructions under the Road Traffic Act, allowing mild to profoundly deaf persons access to driver's licences.
He was speaking during debate of a motion from Sharon Hay-Webster (South Central St Catherine), urging the government to speed up tabling a national disabilities act.
Hibbert said that the conditions indicated in the notice was that deaf persons should produce a certificate from an audiologist certifying the level of deafness, and prove to the authorities that the appropriate devices had been installed in their motor vehicles to communicate the intensity of sounds coming from other vehicles.
Hibbert objected, saying that for a driver's licence to be granted, section 18 of the Road Traffic Act requires the passing of a driver's test and submission of a declaration that the applicant did not suffer from certain diseases, or disabilities, which could cause the driving of a motor vehicle to become a source of danger to the public.
The Road Traffic Regulations identified these diseases and disabilities as including total deafness, epilepsy, insanity, defective vision, loss of one or both hands or feet, and diseases associated with coordination.
Section 20 of the Road Traffic Act allows for the licensing of drivers suffering from some of these ailments provided a certifying officer can attest to the person's ability to drive.
But, says Hibbert, a road test must be administered.
Hibbert, a former chief technical officer in the Ministry of Transport and Works and chairman of the Island Traffic Authority (ITA), said that the licensing of disabled persons has long been a subject of discussion and debate at the Ministry.
He said that such persons from abroad often claimed that there were fewer restrictions overseas, and that, in any case, they can drive with their overseas licences.
But, the authorities are forced to refuse them because of the restrictions in the law.
He said that during his tenure at the ministry, he had met with representatives of the Combined Disabilities Association and explained the problems, including the requirements of the law, to them. He said that one problem was configuring the right test suitable to their disability.
"Neither the Island Traffic Authority, the Minister nor the government has the means to administer a road test for the potentially deaf driver," said the opposition parliamentarian.
In the meetings to be held between the ITA and the disabilities association to discuss the issue, Hibbert suggested that the discussions look at the method of testing.
"Until then, I am cautioning against issuing licences to persons who are totally deaf," Hibbert said.
"I am willing to support any measure that will allow the physically challenged to achieve their full potential but I cannot, in good faith, support any action or measure that will be a source of danger to the public, including the persons they are attempting to assist," he said.
