|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 20 October 2002 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Mental, physical fatigue major cause of road accidents by Karel Roberts Ratnaweera The number of fatal and serious road accidents per year in Sri Lanka exceeds 2000, but only a fraction of the number of drivers of vehicles involved in these cases are produced by police before the National Transport Medical Board (NTMI), Dr. Gamini Karunanayake, Chairman of the Board told the Sunday Observer in an interview on Thursday at his Nugegoda office. The public accuses drivers involved in accidents of reckless driving especially when fatalities occur. However, often it is not recklessness per se, but causes linked directly with stress, overwork or various physical or psychological reasons. According to Dr. Karunanayake, most drivers involved in serious or fatal accidents have personality or behavioural disorders. Following a recent accident when two schoolchildren lost their lives, the driver of the vehicle(now in remand), was earmarked for a Best Driver Award on National Transport Day, instead of which he was brought, manacled, to NTMI where it was found that he had only three and a half hours sleep after 13 hours of driving. The driver had clocked off at 12 midnight and, after having his night meal and a short rest, had slept only a few hours before taking the wheel again. He was found to be suffering from neuron (brain) and physical fatigue and was unfit to have driven after insufficient sleep. It has been found that drivers in the age group 35 to 45 are those most likely to be involved in serious or fatal accidents as they were preoccupied with economic problems sometimes leading to stressful domestic situations that prevented them from keeping their full attention on the road. Drivers in the age group 25 to 35 were much less likely to be accident-prone as they are probably newly-married or perhaps with only one child, or not yet married, Dr. Karunanayake said. CTB drivers in the 50 - 60 age group were found to be the best as by that time they are usually free from family responsibilities, their children probably married and settled down by then. This stress-free mental state, enhanced by years of driving experience make them the safest drivers on the roads although there is a widespread belief that drivers in this age group suffer from weakening reflexes and failing eyesight. These theories put forward by Dr. Karunanayake had the support of the police as well as the Department of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. Most drivers involved in serious or fatal accidents and suffering from personality or behavioural disorders are prone to alcoholism, chronic or otherwise, worldwide. As of now, the right to decide whether a driver involved in an accident should be produced before a medical board for examination rests solely with police officers. This follows a recent circular issued by the IGP. Dr. Karunanayake is of the opinion that this circular be withdrawn and all drivers involved in accidents be summarily produced before the Medical Board. It is stipulated that a driver should have the regulation eight hour sleep before a new duty turn, with a maximum of eight to ten hours rest if he is not to suffer from brain or physical fatigue. It is strongly advocated that under no circumstances should drivers of heavy vehicles be detailed for duty under conditions that produce fatigue or stress. The National Transport Medical Institute provides its services to all sections of public and private transport free of charge. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
