They may have a difference of opinion on some issues.
But not this one. Not at all.
Devin Dreeshen, Alberta’s plain-speaking point man on transportation, is looking at ways to tighten up and toughen up driver testing in the province.
Here’s something Dreeshen is putting on the table for Albertans to chew over.
Many people would call it common sense.
The predictable crowd will no doubt scold Dreeshen and call him every name in the book and then some.
He’s not bothered.
The man puts it out there. He asks the question and you can guess where he’s leaning.
Should the driver knowledge test in Alberta be in English only? The test before the road test.
Katie McLellan, Calgary’s no-nonsense police chief, does not mince words when the puzzle is posed.
“You have to be able to read English signs, Rick. If you can’t read English how can you pass a driving test?”
In Alberta, you can.
McLellan says she will back any measure to help our roads be safer, including toughening up driver testing.
“Anything we can do to get better drivers we support.
“You have to understand the rules of the road and what the expectations are. As we’ve always said, it’s not a right to get a driver’s licence. It’s a privilege.”
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As for taking the driver knowledge test, you could say the Alberta government currently bends over backwards to accommodate.
If you have difficulty with English and need some help you can bring a paper dictionary to the test, converting from your language to English.
If you don’t know English, you can put on a set of headphones and have the questions and the choices of answers read to you in one of 25 languages, courtesy of the Alberta government.
The Alberta government goes further.
If your language is not in the 25 languages you can bring a translator.
A randomly selected registry office in Calgary advertises how you don’t have to worry if you don’t speak or comprehend English.
Just come on down.
The authorities in the United Kingdom asked the public what they thought about driver testing and went to an English-only knowledge test, or a choice of English and Welsh in Wales.
Voiceovers in foreign languages are no longer permitted during the knowledge test. Ditto translators. Not allowed.
The change reportedly was made because it was thought road safety would be compromised when drivers are unable to understand road signs and other driving-related instructions.
They also felt bringing in translators opened up the possibility of fraud.
You know, the translator telling the person taking the test the correct answer or coaching them, doing more than just translating.
By the way, the English-only test across the pond is longer than in Alberta, has a higher pass grade and has a video test where you have to respond quickly to hazards on the road.
While we are on the subject of driving tests, Calgary’s police chief brings up something on her mind.
Chief McLellan points to those beginning drivers in Calgary who go to smaller towns to take the driving test because they see it as easier to pass.
Then they come back to the big city and rude reality on Calgary roads smacks them upside the head.
“There are kids, and I know it to be a fact, that will go out to a smaller place where they may only have one set of lights,” says Calgary’s top cop.
CPS Chief Katie McLellan speaks to media during a Calgary police commission meeting in Calgary on Wednesday, May 27.
“Then they come back to the big city where there are thousands of lights and thousands of stop signs and they are driving Mom and Dad’s car and they are literally petrified.
“You can see it on their faces. They’re four inches away from the windscreen.”
Windscreen. Calgary’s top cop grew up in Scotland.
“They really are petrified behind the wheel. That’s a problem. They look petrified to be driving that vehicle but they passed the test.”
How do you fix that situation?
“Good question,” says McLellan.
Deputy Chief Cliff O’Brien points to parents.
“I feel, as a parent, there’s a certain responsibility.”
O’Brien says if their kids are going to be driving in the city they should test in the city.
“Not say: Hey, what’s important is you pass your test so I’m going to have you go to Okotoks to do it.”
As loyal readers know, the police chief has said in the past how driving in Calgary is atrocious.
Question.
Is driving in Calgary still atrocious? Is it getting any better?
“It’s not getting better. No, it’s not getting better,” says the city’s top cop.