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| Sunday, 30 June 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Errant bus drivers blame pedestrians for accidents by ANTON NONIS Private bus drivers have to bear the wrath of the public for the tragic accidents that have occurred over the past several days on the highways. On many such instances private bus drivers were attacked by mobs and their vehicles set on fire. However, the drivers are reluctant to be held responsible for the accidents saying it was only one-side of the story. Sources for the Private Bus Owners Association (PBOA) have revealed that the irresponsibility of pedestrians has also contributed to the accidents. Police say that both drivers and road users should exercise caution and make the roads accident-free. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic), Daya Jayasundera, told the `Sunday Observer' that he intends to educate all private bus drivers in the country on road rules. Detections by the traffic police have revealed that most drivers do not have a good knowledge of road rules leading to indiscipline on the roads and subsequently to accidents. Drivers will be summoned by the local police for education on the road rules. Classes will be conducted until the participants show they have grasped the rules. In Colombo, special police teams will be deployed to check on errant drivers. They will mostly have to be careful at pedestrian crossings marked in yellow across the roads since several accidents have occurred at these points. According to the drivers, pedestrians use the crossings carelessly without being aware of approaching vehicles and the proximity of vehicles to the crossing. Motorists are expected either to stop or slow down while approaching a pedestrian crossing, as if they do not, there may be too little time for the driver to avoid an accident. There are several instances where the yellow markings have faded resulting in drivers not knowing they are in fact approaching a pedestrian crossing. DIG Jayasundera notes that from Kollupitiya junction to Galle Face there is not a single road sign, thus making this stretch extremely dangerous to pedestrians trying to cross the road. "It is disgusting the scant regard shown by the Colombo Municipal Council on this matter," the DIG said. It is recommended that pedestrians caution themselves while using the crossings. The DIG said that his men have detected 900,000 traffic offences in the year 2000, of which 138,338 were caused by private bus drivers. Last year (year 2001), of 1,038,829 traffic offences, 141,819 were committed by private bus drivers. The DIG insists that all private bus drivers be given extensive training. "Merely having a bus driving licence is no guarantee that the holder of the licence is a good driver," DIG Jayasundera said. |
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