Driver And Vehicle Licensing Authority Research Articles

The state-of-the-art of practice of traffic noise regulations in Ghana

Noise pollution is one of Ghana’s environmental risks and it has become the norm in metropolitan areas to the point where residents in these locations experience noise nuisance and may be at risk of hearing loss. Most developed and developing countries have established traffic noise standards as a control mechanism to reduce traffic noise exposure emissions. This study aims to investigate current practices of traffic noise regulations and policy. Various agencies responsible for the control of noise pollution and the urban road sector were interviewed about traffic noise standards and practices, and it was observed that these agencies’ noise practices were based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established guidelines, which did not include transportation noise regulation. Except for a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), regulation that allows a certain vehicle horning system for specific vehicle users, this study discovered that this policy is not fully implemented. A preliminary survey was conducted to collect traffic field data and inhabitants’ perceptions of traffic noise. Of the 30 respondents, 26 respondents (86.7%) affirmed that they experience traffic noise pollution at various locations, while 23 respondents (76.7%) reported various health effects due to exposure to traffic noise. This can be related to the observed noise levels which exceeded the dissatisfaction score of 5 (89 dB(A)), and also Leq value (109.1 dB(A)) was greater than the environmental permissible limit of the EPA standard of 70 dB(A). This indicates that roadside residents suffer from noise annoyance. It is recommended that transport, and environmental-related agencies work unanimously to ensure that effective control of traffic noise pollution is developed, enforced, and implemented.

Obstacles in adopting Lean Thinking at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority in Ghana

The Lean Thinking ideology has established tools and techniques needed to reduce non-value-added activities such as waiting time, overproduction, transportation, motion, inventory and defects within an organization’s value stream. Numerous organizations across the world have applied Lean Thinking and have attained vast benefits. This research examined the obstacles or barriers to Lean implementation at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Ghana. The research used the concurrent mixed methods research design. A total of  clients of DVLA were sampled for the study using a simple random sampling approach. The data analysis for the study was grounded on the standardized Z-test and thematic analysis. The results from the study revealed that lack of top management support, consulting cost in Lean, stringent requirements and approval, lack of knowledge in Lean, and lack of government support for research and collaboration in Lean were the barriers in the Lean implementation process. It was therefore recommended that management and employees of DVLA should focus on identifying and eliminating the obstacles in Lean implementation which affect their operations.

The dynamics of E-government enactment in a developing country public sector organization: Evidence from Ghana

The demand for accountability, transparency and efficient service delivery by citizens in many countries is pushing many governments to adopt e-government initiatives in achieving timely and efficient information dissemination. However, research shows that many public organisations in developing countries have been slow in responding to these developments. This study investigates how organisational level factors shape e-government implementation in public organisations in a developing country. Participants were purposively selected and one-on-one in-depth interviews were used to collect data. The study identified inadequate financial and human resources, leadership support, low information communication technology (ICT) literacy as well as inadequate ICT equipment and low internet connectivity to be the factors militating against the effective implementation of the computer based technology (CBT) program at the driver and vehicle licensing authority (DVLA). The study concludes that e-government has the potential to enhance the delivery of services in public organisations if these challenges are addressed.

Analysis of The Effects of Information System On Service Delivery At DVLA

An Information System (IS) offers various benefits in managing transactions between an organization and its customers. Lack of Information system purely oriented to customer satisfaction leads to long waiting lines by customers in service delivery. It will influence negatively on-expected revenue and profit to various establishments in the long term. With recent trends in specific IS applications, expectations are that if waiting lines are not eliminated, perhaps may be reduce drastically in service delivery. Several steps were taken in putting measures in place by expanding facilities, providing timely and periodic maintenance, yet waiting lines are observed in places like; Bank Automated Teller Machine(ATM) (as an extended banking services), Electricity Company pay points, Clinics and Hospitals etc. These reviews seek to focus on Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Ghana since long waiting line is much associated with their service delivery. Using Convenience sampling technique, questionnaires were administered in eliciting data from staff and clients of DVLA. Final data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS); with the support of Microsoft Excel 2010 in depicting the results in frequency tables, percentages, charts etc. The trends in the results show evidently that even though Information Systems was used in the services delivery process; there are prevailing waiting lines, which were observed. It was also established that services delivery processes are not electronic at DVLA, resulting in the formation of the longer waiting lines.

Implementation of a teaching programme to improve doctors' awareness of DVLA guidelines: a multicentre study

IntroductionOver half of the UK population holds a driver's licence. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) guidelines are available for conditions from most specialties. Despite this, no focused training occurs...

P253 Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: Patients’ experience of the driver and vehicle licensing agency

IntroductionDriver’s licence holders have a legal obligation to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) if diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS). This requirement may cause considerable anxiety...

Comprehensive Motor Insurance Demand in Ghana: Evidence From Kumasi Metropolis

This study examines the determinants of comprehensive motor insurance demand in Ghana. Data was collected fro m private car o wners who were registering their vehicle at Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) regional office in Ku masi. The study used logit model to assess factors influencing demand for co mprehensive motor insurance. The results revealed that, demand for co mprehensive motor insurance is significantly influenced by income, value of the vehicle, age of the vehicle, perception of the premiu m and claim procedure. The p rice of co mprehensive motor insurance negatively affected the demand. Generally, wealthy people and individuals who used bank loan to purchase vehicle are mo re likely to purchase comprehensive motor insurance. In addition, claim p rocedures and the premiu m if perceived satisfactory would improve demand for co mprehensive motor insurance. Hence to encourage demand for co mprehensive motor insurance, insurance companies should target wealthy car owners and individual who use bank loan to purchase their vehicles. In addition insurance companies should reduce the time taken to process claims. Finally policy makers should place emphasis on designing comprehensive insurance with attractive premiu m. Results of this study will be useful to insurance co mpanies in improving demand for co mprehensive motor insurance.. The information would also benefit stakeholders in the insurance industry in Ghana especially policy makers as how to improve demand for comprehensive insurance in a sustainable manner.

Driving after a transient ischaemic attack or minor stroke

The frequency of adherence to the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) guidelines for patients referred to a neurovascular clinic is not known. Of 166 consecutive patients, 95 (57.2%)...

An audit of advice on fitness to drive during accident and emergency department attendance

Introduction: Large numbers of patients attending accident and emergency (A&E) departments drive to and from the consultation. This audit set out to examine if patients attending A&E were advised about...

Audit in occupational medicine: an audit of fitness to drive among voluntary drivers in an NHS trust.

A health surveillance programme, to assess fitness to drive, was initiated for voluntary drivers in an NHS Trust because of reports of increasing frailty and slow reactions among some drivers. After discussion between the occupational health department, voluntary services manager and personnel department it was considered appropriate to apply Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) Group 2 fitness to drive standards to those voluntary drivers who drove the Trusts minibuses. An audit of the initial health surveillance of 47 drivers is presented. The mean age of the voluntary drivers was 66.4 years. A large number of medical problems with the potential to affect driving were discovered (average of 1.9 medical problems per driver). The outcome was that five voluntary drivers were found unfit to drive the hospital minibus and one voluntary driver was found unfit for car driving. A fitness assessment form for drivers is presented. This form is primarily for the use of occupational health nurses, to help them to decide when referral to an occupational health physician is indicated.

Driving and insulin--consensus, conflict or confusion?

All drivers requiring insulin treatment must be able to demonstrate satisfactory diabetic control and recognition of hypoglycaemic symptoms before being allowed to drive a motor vehicle. Clinicians have a duty to discuss fitness to drive with their patients. However, is the advice given consistent and in line with the regulations published by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)? Six 'real-life' case scenarios were posted to clinicians (consultant diabetologists, specialist registrars and diabetes specialist nurses) within Wessex, UK. The identical cases were also sent to the DVLA for their comments. Sixty-six doctors (36 consultants) and 70 diabetes specialist nurses were contacted by postal questionnaire of which replies were received from 17 consultants (47%), 17 specialist registrars (57%) and 39 diabetes specialist nurses (56%). Although there was general agreement in cases of hypoglycaemia unawareness, there was disagreement where patients had or were at risk of unstable control albeit for a short time. Patients treated with insulin may receive conflicting information concerning their ability to drive.

Visual field defects due to spectacle frames: their prediction and relationship to UK driving standards

One male and one female subject wore a selection of ten current spectacle frames in random order. Monocular visual fields were assessed using an Aimark perimeter in accordance with UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) guidelines. Of the ten frames, seven plastic frames produced an absolute scotoma intruding into a 120 ° × 40 ° ‘letterbox’ area acting as a driving visual field template. Three metal frames gave a relative scotoma; however, our apparatus was too insensitive to plot these scotomata. Relevant frame and patient parameters were measured and entered into a computer program which enabled theoretical visual field defects due to a spectacle frame to be calculated. Good agreement is shown to be possible between actual and computed visual field defects. Spectacle frames can and frequently do cause visual field defects which may affect a driver's fitness to drive. Our data also show that a frame which allows an adequate field of vision at night could cause a marked visual field defect during daylight hours. A model and rule-of-thumb are given to determine the size of these potential defects and suggestions are given to minimise or eliminate them.

Visual field defects due to spectacle frames: their prediction and relationship to UK driving standards

SummaryOne male and one female subject wore a selection of ten current spectacle frames in random order. Monocular visual fields were assessed using an Aimark perimeter in accordance with UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) guidelines. Of the ten frames, seven plastic frames produced an absolute scotoma intruding into a 120°× 40°‘letterbox’ area acting as a driving visual field template. Three metal frames gave a relative scotoma; however, our apparatus was too insensitive to plot these scotomata. Relevant frame and patient parameters were measured and entered into a computer program which enabled theoretical visual field defects due to a spectacle frame to be calculated. Good agreement is shown to be possible between actual and computed visual field defects. Spectacle frames can and frequently do cause visual field defects which may affect a driver's fitness to drive. Our data also show that a frame which allows an adequate field of vision at night could cause a marked visual field defect during daylight hours. A model and rule‐of‐thumb are given to determine the size of these potential defects and suggestions are given to minimise or eliminate them.

Driving and psychiatric illness

A survey of psychiatrists was conducted to determine their current knowledge of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) regulations and the advice they give to their patients regarding driving with psychiatric illness and/or medication. The results indicate that both knowledge and practices vary widely. In view of the potential risks of driving when not well or fully alert, information regarding driving should be a standard part of the advice given to all psychiatric patients.