By Musukwa Frank– disability youth activist
Zambia Deaf Youth and Women (ZDYW) would like to stress that deafness does not in any way limit a person’s ability to drive a car or other vehicles. Consequently, a deaf driver does not constitute a risk for safe traffic and pedestrian movement what so ever since there is no evidence that deaf drivers due to their in ability to hear are involved in more car accidents, or are at any bigger risk on the road than those with normal hearing.
According to studies conducted in Finland as well as in several countries across the world, it is well known fact; deaf drivers have been involved in less car accidents compared to the average driver with no hearing impairments.The research also notes that the ability to hear is not necessarily the only sense that can permit safe driving. For example, it is possible to check by sense of touch whether the car horn functions or not, also it is possible to use visual means during driving, and seeing the ambulance or police vehicles’ lights flashing with the help of the rear view mirrors.
Note that most adaptive technology of today has enhanced driving with the availability of video relay machines that can be connected in the
car in such a way that the driver can monitor the rear of the car, the surrounding as well as the safety of the car when he/she is driving.
This adaptive technology can aid many deaf drivers.
While it is clear that deaf people in Zambia are rarely allowed to access driving permits, it comes to our understanding that it is solemnly upon backward beliefs that deaf people are unable to be availed with driving licenses and not necessarily a proven necessity.
Considering that most deaf persons lack access to driving permits in Zambia, when deaf persons are denied access to driving licenses and permits, it restricts the already limited employment prospects open to deaf people, and deprives them of the mobility that gives them access
to essential services. Many deaf persons work as car technicians or mechanics or are employed by transport companies. As a practical
example, deaf car mechanics can identify defects by sense of touch.Having a driving license is a necessity for these jobs.
In countries like Uganda, South africa, Swaziland, Tunisia and EU countries deaf people are able to obtain driving licenses while in other countries, such as in some parts of Asia, Arab region and Africa, deaf people are not allowed drive at all.
Instead of introducing restrictive measures, the authorities and driving schools should make it certain that deaf persons receive driving lessons in sign language, which is the language a deaf person uses as his or her first language.
Concerned about any restrictions in deaf people’s right to drive a car or other vehicles, Zambia Deaf Youth and Women demands that no discrimination is included in legislation and directives against deaf persons’ right to drive a car or other vehicles as a private person
or as an employed driver.
ZDYW would also like to refer to the UN convention on the rights of people with disabilities (CRPD) and its articles, especially on article 5 which states that, the ratification of the convention by state parties calls for the meaningful commitment and obligation to remove all legislation barriers that deprive fundamental human rights for persons with disabilities specifically – equality and non discrimination and its paragraph 2 stating that, “state parties shall prohibit all discrimination on the basis of disability and guarantee to persons with disabilities equal and effective legal protection against discrimination on all grounds.”
ZDYW calls upon the Ministry of Justice and Transport to demonstrate strong leadership in protection/defence and promotion of human rights of persons with disabilities as enshrined in the Universal human rights declaration, National constitutional laws and United Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities by placing up mechanisms to reduce of the restrictions deaf people are facing as they strive to enjoy their fundamental human rights of which free movement such as in form of legalized driving is inclusive.
Musukwa Frank, be realistic in your analysis. Zambia has one of the highest rates of road accidents in the world. Am sure the govenment means well not to allow deaf people to drive, simply to safeguard their lives. In Zambia a deaf person is more prone to have an accident simply because most drivers dont follow traffic rules, most depend on the senses to get their way. However i recommend the deaf to be considered ONLY WHEN THEY HAVE HEARING AIDS
I am been very realistic and frankly talk in my analysis. I am in Ireland i and i have seen Deaf guys driving. Your level of thinking is under medical model we need to shift to a social model were we are seen as subject NOT object. I have been driving in Zambia for last four years without licence and traffic police at one time when they arrested me and challenged them to take the case to court they insisted on bribe.
Q: Are deaf people allowed to get drivers licenses? If so, are there any additional restrictions or classes?
A: The answer comes from State Department of Licensing spokesman Tony Sermonti:
The quick answer is yes, folks that are deaf or hearing impaired can get a driver license. There are no special requirements or classes that they’re required to take. Extra time is set aside for the driving test, so examiners can use flash cards or other methods of communicating.
Depending on the attention the applicant gives during the drive test, we may impose a restriction on their driver license requiring outside mirrors on both sides of the vehicle and a rear view mirror to ensure they can see emergency vehicles approaching from behind (USA Model)
i totally agree with #1
No no.. # 1 is lost. I am deaf I own Opel Zafira reg CGB-328 ..I have been driving since 1991 .. first accident was in 2006 when I hit into a stationary car while chating with my son from shopping area. Here in Finland no discrimination the most important thing is sight 180^c
Most accidents occurs in Zambia because of drunkard and careless drivers. Therefore, what i am asking for is my right to be respected. Put yourself in my shoes before you comment and remember disability is a challenge to everybody. Every human is born with equal human rights. I will fight this battle till the end dont treat us deaf persons as if we are second hand citizens. We are entitled to enjoyment of all rights
Plus No 1 you are saying when we have hearing aid? So those drivers who are involved in accidents also will need hearing aids? Then i dont know a person dont necessary just horn anyhow there are rear mirror,
New Delhi: February 15, 2011
In a landmark judgement which will benefit millions of deaf people in the country, the Delhi High Court has opened the doors for deaf people to take a driving test, and if they pass, to get a driving licence for the first time in India. Prior to this the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules automatically disqualify a deaf person from obtaining a licence on the presumption that deaf persons would be a danger to the public.
A public interest petition was filed in the Delhi High Court by the National Association of the Deaf submitting that there is no evidence anywhere in the world to show that deaf persons would be, per se, a danger to the public. On the contrary, some studies have shown that they are more careful driver………….
In most countries, in the whole of Europe and America and elsewhere deaf people are permitted to drive after taking a test and their vehicles are required to be fitted with extra large side view mirrors and with a sign at the back of the vehicle indicating that the driver was deaf and light signals only are to be used.
The irony of the blanket ban in India which prevented deaf people from even doing the test lay in that India was a signatory to an international convention and accepted as valid international driving licences. Thus deaf persons from abroad, including Indians, who possessed an international driving licence could legally drive in India while deaf persons from India were not even permitted to take the test.
By allowing deaf persons to go through the test and drive if they are found capable, the High Court has, for the first time in this country, permitted deaf persons to legally drive a vehicle.
Then cars not should be fitted with horns. Their cars should be fitted with stickers saying “deaf man driving” otherwise someone will be busy hooting when the other cannot hear them. The next we will hear blind people asking for the same. I am not chinese so I do not eat dogs.
@8 Most Zambian people are dully they don’t observe road signs. Sticker that will be a discriminatory i hope if u are educated will find time to goggle the site and study many cases. Mirrors are suffice and no need to bring blind cousins here. This is a straightforward issue
As Zambia Deaf Youth and Women, we have to drawn a lesson from this landmark judgement and resolve to take Zambian government in court for judicial review over continued denial deaf persons driving licence
Who is dangerous a person speaking on phone whistle driving, a drunkard and innocent Deaf person like myself whose only criminal is sense of hearing?
#9 I am actually very educated and I leave in Zambia. This country is far from your dreams and my advice to the deaf is stay away from the wheel. Let other people drive you. I have just realized that this was a personal article championing personal rights. Please approach the gorvernment we see how far you will go.
@12 Its not far the because other Deaf colleagues if want go to National Association of the Deaf in Chinika the Executive Director is a Deaf and drive Pajero with legal licence and HRC has notified me that this case is been considered! U are just speaking withing logistical thinking. If you became a deaf today and government confiscated your licence how will u react. I am true activist of disability youth
@12 Its not far because other Deaf colleagues if want go to National Association of the Deaf in Chinika the Executive Director is a Deaf and drive Pajero with legal licence and HRC has notified me that this case is been considered! U are just speaking without logistical thinking. If you became a deaf today and government confiscated your licence how will u react. I am true activist of disability youth
Musukwa you are right. These folks telling you to stay away from wheel of course do not understand the abilities you have to offset what appears to be your shortcoming. I have friends who are challenged like you and they usually do things even better than us so-called able-bodied. It is a uncivilised perception in this country as some bloggers clearly show. I am with you; you deserve to drive, why not!!!
Brotherhood and solidarity
It is urged that a person being deaf does not suffer from any incapability to drive as driving is almost entirely a visual activity with approximately 95% of information required for driving being obtained visually.
The International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences carried out a survey on countries like Japan, United States, Great Britain, Germany, France and Australia and found out that the said countries have allowed their people to get a car driving licence unless they suffer from another disability. What are the other equipments to be attached to a vehicle when a licence is given to a deaf person in France, New Zealand, USA, California, Florida, United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Thailand has been highlighted. It is contended that there is no rationale or justification in denying a person who is deaf to drive a vehicle and that apart, there is no conclusive evidence that a deaf person can never drive a vehicle and would be a source of danger.
@1, 3 and 12, I rest my case here because your comment lack evidence based perspective as my case can be supported by No 15.
I have a deaf child, very bright at school, and he always tells me that he wants to drive one day when he grows up. You can imagine the kind of dilemma i am in. The are are advantages and disadvantages to both sides of the argument.
Please Mr. Musukwa bear with me that,it is not a discrimination against deaf people but it is a risk on our Zambian roads,we are not on the level of European roads or even in South Africa there are surveillance cameras to monitor what is happening,My question is it has been long since I left Zambia,could you please inform me of such advancements on our Zambian roads merci
Even if we want to promote rights for the disabled this looks like a human wrong.Lives need to be protected just to come up with crazy analysis at the expense of securing lives.This sounds crazy iam sorry,driving is one skill which one has to use all senses.
Yes the deaf should drive.. I am deaf .. I own Opel Zafira reg CGB-328 ..I have been driving since 1991 .. single accident was recorded in 2006.. But I have witnessed so many accidents involving normal persons.. causer .. drink driving.. speeding.. carelessness.. overlooking traffic rules.. little experience in driving. In Zambia most vehicles are NOT inspected yearly to prove their road worthness,.. potholes.. poor road standard contribute to numerous accidents.
I miss RB, but not Thandiwe.. not even a single day!
Dichotomy of society is that people don’t comprehend the difference of abilities in Us . The issue of whether the deaf can drive, is actually obvious that they can drive because there no evidence that indicate that deaf drivers would be dangerous to society. Can one some prove whether deaf people are incapable of safe driving?
Dichotomy of society is that people don’t comprehend the difference of abilities in Us . The issue of whether the deaf can drive, is actually obvious , they can drive because there no evidence that indicate that deaf drivers would be dangerous to society. Can someone prove to me whether deaf people are incapable of safe driving?
Our society is still infected by the ancient, now almost subconscious
assumption that people with disabilities are less than fully human and
therefore are not fully eligible for the opportunities, services, and support
systems which are available to other people as a matter of right. The result
is massive, society-wide discrimination.
Martin Luther King Jr. wrote that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”Disability is a part of the human condition that will affect all citizens, directly or indirectly, at some point in their lives.We all must thus continue to struggle to remove barriers that deny people with disabilities basic rights to dignity, equality, and opportunity………
they can drive, just give them a special badge like L plate, D will do.
Deaf people are not suppose to drive. these can be a danger to other motorists. unless they have hearing aids ba nkoma matwi shud never be allowed to drive.
30= mind your demeaning language come to Kitwe u will find me proudly driving my ABP 757 Toyota. No accident since i brought this car in 2009
=:)