News - Business

Afghan Ministry of Transport and Aviation on Wednesday said that it has made its strategy for land transport and passenger safety in Afghanistan.

The new strategy is expected to reduce traffic accidents in the country and will also prevent addicts from being granted driving licences.

All vehicles will have to go through a technical check once a year, under the new strategy.

Lack of proper maintenance systems, over speed, over loading, and presence of people with no driving licences are some of the main problems with the transport in Afghanistan, according to the ministry.

"Today we officially announce that the new safety strategy will soon be implemented," Acting Minister of Transport and Aviation, Dawood Ali Najafi, said.

According to the ministry around 80 percent of Afghan truck drivers are addicted to narcotics.

"We will ask Ministry of Health to help us identify addicts to prevent them getting driving licences and will make sure no company employs them," Advisor to the Ministry of Transport, Mohammadullah Dardmanish, said.