KUALA LUMPUR: The move to implement an automated driving licence testing system, or 'eTesting' is the way to go for the future.
However, experts cautioned the government against addressing potential loopholes with such a system as it could be open privacy data breaches and manupulation of test results.
They also said that an eTesting system should also be able to evaluate a learner driver's emotional intelligence when they get behind the wheel.
Alliance for A Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the main concern for road safety practitioners is the quality of new drivers.
He said a safe driving attitudes is a very important when a person learns to drive.
Lee admitted that an eTesting system would help to eliminate corruption and cases of illegal licences, but that should not be the only consideration.
"Corruption itself is not necessarily the only factor responsible for the low quality of new drivers.
"Safe driving is not just about not crossing the lines or staying within the boxes or electronic parameters. It has something to do with the standards of training and testing itself," he told the New Straits Times.
Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre head Associate Professor Dr Law Teik Hua said it was important for the authorities to anticipate potential loopholes in the 'eTesting' method, and address them before rolling out the system.
"These loopholes include technical issues with the testing platform, concerns about data security and privacy and the potential for cheating or manipulation of test results.
"Moreover, the effectiveness of eTesting may vary depending on the candidates' access to technology and their ability to adapt to digital testing environments," said Law.
Lee urged the government to introduce virtual driving scenarios to complement the eTesting method, which would test a candidate's decision-making ability and reactions to unexpected events such as accidents and road hazards.
"We should find ways to assess a candidate's ability to anticipate and respond to potential hazards and gauge their temperament on the road.
"This could involve assessing their stress management, patience and ability to stay calm under pressure," he said .
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Traffic and Road Safety psychologist Professor Dr Rozmi Ismail agrees that simulators should one of the main components in eTesting.
"If we have simulators, it will teach candidates about the elements of safety, especially for first-time drivers on how they should perceive the danger.
"This could be one way to ensure competent drivers," he said.
Lee, however, said it was a good move by the government to prevent any corrupt activity during the driving test.
"Almost everything else in the world is going electronic, and so it is inevitable that in the matter of applying for a driving license, the process be upgraded," he said.
Yesterday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the ministry will implement automated driving licence testing system, known as 'eTesting', which allows candidates to undergo driving tests without the presence of Road Transport Department (RTD) officers inside a vehicle.
He had said the candidates' performance would be assessed using sensors and cameras, with results generated in real-time, thus enhancing the integrity of the assessment process.
He also said that for the use of this system, driving schools may impose a maximum fee of RM100; and that candidates opting for eTesting will receive several benefits, including the opportunity to retake failed test elements on the same day at no additional cost.