New Delhi, Dec 18 : \"Don\'t think deaf here don\'t have cars,\", said a member of the deaf community Friday criticizing the government for denying them the right to drive.

Earlier this week the government had informed the Delhi High Court that the hearing impaired cannot be given driving license.

"I read about the government decision few days back and was laughing on it. There are some people who have certain ideas that does not match reality. I want to know how many deaf people are accused of accidents in India," Sibaji Panda, a lecturer in deaf studies in Delhi, told IANS.

"Don't think, deaf people don't have cars. Instead of improving traffic situation, they are not allowing us to drive," Panda said on the sideline of a conference at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

"This is a disturbing news. If we get license we can do our work fast and more efficiently," said Rajesh Ketkar, a deaf language trainer from Indore.

"I applied for a license in Indore and they told me repeatedly to go to Delhi. Why should I tour Delhi for a license. These policies are not helping the community at all. I had been to countries like Spain, where there is no such problem of driving by deaf" Ketkar added.

Sujit Sahasrabudhe, a masters' degree student from Mumbai echoed the sentiment. "The traffic situation here is too bad. Why the government is so poor in managing it."

Clark Denmark, a lecturer in deaf studies from the UK, said: "I have been driving for last 40 years but have not faced any problem. The situation seems different here. The traffic so bad here, I would not like to drive in Delhi roads," the lecturer laughed.

IGNOU has recently launched a graduation programme for deaf students, a first of its kind course accross the country. At least 30 students including five foreign students are pursuing the course that expects to produce quality teachers for the community.(IANS)