Driving test safety concerns persist
by Bernard Harbor
 
The union has also made public statements in defence of testers following criticism of the RSA’s handling of tests during this stage of the pandemic.
The union has also made public statements in defence of testers following criticism of the RSA’s handling of tests during this stage of the pandemic.

Fórsa has agreed to the recruitment of 40 temporary driver-testers to help with a large backlog of tests caused by Covid-related cancellations, particularly during the first wave of the pandemic.

 

But the union continues to raise concerns about the number of tests being conducted during the current lockdown. It says there is a high risk of Covid transmission as the 50-minute tests are conducted in extremely confined spaces.

 

The union is in continuous discussions with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and transport department officials. But it’s clear that the Government won’t change its designation of driver testers as essential workers.

 

Political pressure for reductions in waiting lists is also growing, and Fórsa has sought additional training and an increase in the number of supervisors to deal with the recruitment of temporary staff.

 

The union has also made public statements in defence of testers following criticism of the RSA’s handling of tests during this stage of the pandemic.

 

All tests were stood down a year ago, during the first stage of the pandemic. But testers returned to work in July, when the numbers of new Covid cases seemed to be under control and Fórsa had agreed safety measures.

 

When the numbers of cases spiked again in the late summer, the union again sought a suspension of all tests. But the Government designated driving tests as an emergency service, and many tests continued to be scheduled.

 

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