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| Sunday, 27 June 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Instilling motoring etiquette by Lakmal Welabada
Notice anything different about the motorist this past six days. No? Noticed the banners then...? June 21 to 28 was the 'Courteous Drivers Week', a first in the history of motoring in Sri Lanka. Prompted by the alarming rise in fatal accidents on our highways and by-ways, the concerned authorities decided to, with courtesy and care (of course) make the roads safe for both motorists and pedestrians. This meant ensuring the vehicles were roadworthy, drivers were licensed to drive and pedestrians knew where to walk. "The progress of the programme was really good," claim officials of the various authorities involved in the 'Courteous Drivers Week' programme. Launched with much fanfare, the week began with a motor vehicle rally in Colombo. Ten vintage cars led the way and were followed by contemporary model cars, vans, lorries, CTB buses, private buses which were in turn followed by a procession of 50 motor cyclists and 50 pedal cyclists injecting some much excitement for the onlookers. A senior pedestrian said he was amazed to see some vehicles moving so slowly and 'patiently' which was one of the most unusual scene he has witnessed on a city road at that early hour of the day. The rally which started at 9.30am from Galle Face Green proceeded along Galle Road up to Kalubowila junction, and then to Nugegoda junction and from there to Vihara Maha Devi Park along the High Level Road. The police were present in full force to ensure that the 'first ever Sri Lanka's motor vehicle rally' did not disrupt the normal traffic movements of the general public. The past six days were also busy days for the traffic police - officers and other ranks called upon to monitor city traffic and the driving skills of the motorists. Often, commuters were heard wondering whether a VIP was proceeding somewhere because of the heavy police presence on the roads. Many were surprised to discover that this time they were the 'Very Important Persons' (VIPs)...! "An average of five deaths a day on the road is a startling and frightening fact. But that is the situation in Sri Lanka," says SSP Lucky Peiris, Director Traffic Headquarters. "In 2001 the number of accidents reported to the Police was 52,057 out of which 1993 were fatal accidents. In 2002 about 2029 were killed in 55,021 accidents. The number of deaths in 2003 was 1933, and the number of accidents reported that year was 59,444. These statistics show the importance of enforcing strict road rules and regulations," says the SSP. The 'courteous drivers week' was a collective effort of the Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order, Ministry of Transport, Motor Traffic Department, Ministry of Highways, Ministry of Environment and several other local authorities. The programme while enforcing strict road rules and regulations also seeks to bring about a better motoring and road use culture in the long run. According to IGP Indra de Silva, the programme will also apprehend motorists of all vehicles who drive without a valid driving licence and those who are under the influence of liquor; carry out thorough examinations of vehicles to check their roadworthiness (under this, emission of fumes and other poisonous substances from vehicles will also be monitored frequently); strictly check on overloading of buses, vans, lorries and motor cycles; checks on excessive speeding of vehicles; educate pedestrians including school children on proper use of roads; clear pavements and roads of obstructions and unauthorised structures; streamline parking arrangements on busy highways and properly maintain road signs, signals, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. Anthony Fernando, Media Consultant of the Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order says that the programme will not be confined to this week, but will continue throughout the year. "Police and the local authorities will play a big role in this. Under this programme the local bodies have been instructed to monitor excavation of roads for laying of pipe lines for water supply and underground telephone cables. The damaged roads should be repaired immediately as they cause various difficulties to the commuters," he points out. Mr.Anthony further states that various programmes to educate school children on traffic and road rules will be launched along with the 'Courteous Drivers Week'. "We hope the electronic media will also join us in these public awareness projects as media is the main influential source that can educate people in this regard," he adds. The Private Bus Operators Association and the Three-Wheeler Drivers Association have also rendered their support to the 'Courteous Drivers Week' programme. |
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