MVIL: PMVs worst road offenders

MOTOR Vehicles Insurance Limited statistics confirm the accident rate involving PMV’s couriering unsecured passengers easily outstrip the next most accident-prone vehicle type.
According to MVIL, the PMVs caused more than 10 times the accident level of other vehicles.
It said in a statement that such figures long beg the question – to be entrusted with so many lives, where does responsibility lie to ensure vehicles are sufficiently maintained?
“With the ‘Road Safety – it’s Not a Game’ campaign focusing on dangerous practices such as speeding, drink driving and vehicle overloading, the overall PNG driving culture is moving closer to vehicle drivers more consistently acting in a responsible manner on our roads.”
“Natural progression now sees those with the power to do so needing to make sure all drivers, especially those couriering the general public and goods, are provided safe vehicles to go with their safer driving practices.
“This undeniable substandard state of a vast numbers of PMVs and goods carrying trucks on the National Capital District (NCD) and nationwide roads is a major issue along with driver competency,” said MVIL managing director Dr John Mua.
“Vehicle maintenance is without doubt an area owners should show responsibility for.”
A short observation of the day to day traffic clearly shows there are many PMVs and other public vehicles on the roads that should be not running, let alone of a roadworthy condition.
MVIL believe that first and foremost it is vehicle owners that need to make sure these rundown, old busses and trucks are maintained and are in mechanically safe working order.
“Many aspects of a vehicles safety come down to simple regular maintenance, such as ensuring the roadworthy condition of tyres, brakes and warning lights. It is essential for such aspects to be in top working order and certainly not an area for owners to feel they can cut costs,” Mua said
And while there was currently limited legislative support he believed it also to be the responsibility, for example, of the PMV owner to check into the potential PMV driver’s previous training.
“According to the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), the average PMV driver receives very minimal training, if any at all. We at MVIL have spoken with a number of PMV owners, and many believe it essential all vehicle owners take responsibility in checking their driver’s legitimacy and experience.
These beliefs are promising to hear from owners, with some even suggesting the ideal PMV driver should have five years minimum driving experience and exceed 25 years of age for a start.”
“These ideas are extremely positive as this show us we are moving in the right direction and campaign awareness is steadily increasing,” he added.