Govt establishes national driver licensing database to combat fraud

The Transport Ministry is establishing an electronic database to store drivers' licensing data from throughout the country.

The database aims to stop the issuance of multiple licences in different states, reported Times of India. In India, over 30% of drivers have more than one vehicle licence.

Union Minister of Road Transport and highways Nitin Gadkari said, “If you have a licence issued in Maharashtra and apply for another one from any other state, it will be immediately detected in the computer system.”

“In several cases, it was found that some people had secured a licence from another state after their ‘original’ licence was confiscated by the authorities. The new system would curb such practices,” he said. The move would also help insurers in detecting and dealing with errant drivers.

Accidents

Mr Gadkari said that every year, many people, particularly those aged 18-35, lose their lives in accidents. About 500,000 accidents take place in the country every year, causing 150,000 deaths and injuring 230,000.

Source: Asia Insurance Review