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| Sunday, 24 October 2004 |
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Insurance scheme for victims of hit and run vehicles by Anton Nonis Investigations by Road Safety analysts had revealed, out of 116 deaths in the country, 51 deaths were caused by road traffic accidents at present, compared to only one death during 1977. A fair percentage of the victims found to be those of `hit and run' vehicles. Transport Minister, Felix Perera during a campaign on `Pedestrian Safety', said that the Transport Ministry is planning to formulate an Insurance Scheme for the benefit of specially victims of 'hit and run' vehicles. According to the Minister, the instances of `hit and run' vehicles are on the increase. It has made many of the victims suffer a total loss, without any form of compensation, having met with an accident. The ministry, for the start, hopes to build up a reserve of about Rs.40 million to pay for the victims in which the motorists had fled. The fund will be created by requesting the insurance companies to remit one per cent of monies collected on third party insurances. The minister said, discussions with the relative companies due to begin shortly. A portion of the monies will also be allocated to improve some of the important roads and also for research and development. Analysts have found that the biggest killer on the highway to be the motorcycle while the bicycle, trishaw, lorry are lower in line on accidents. Buses are known to be the safest form of transport out of all modes. Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV) statistics has revealed that there are over 600,000 registered motorcycles at present, while the trishaws number over 200,000. According to National Transport Commission Chairman, Dr. Amal Kumarage, the vehicle population in the country increases by eight per cent per annum. Investigations have revealed that serious accidents could be caused even by light and slow moving vehicles like bicycles. Kumarage said, there had been 38 pedestrian deaths in the year 2002 due to bicycles. If that was the case, the authorities fear how the case would be with regards to heavy type and fast moving vehicles. Minister Perera said that maximum effort be made to minimise road accidents. It is revealed that pedestrians, the most vulnerable lot on road accidents on many instances. "Pedestrians be made to utilise pavements always and not the main road," he said. Lack of concentration of pedestrians while walking listed out as a main cause on accidents. It is revealed, however, that pedestrians are unable to make use of the pavements due to various reasons, and happen to walk on the main road. Road Inspectors have noted that almost all the city roads are being encroached by pavement hawkers. Obstructions are also due to potholes and garbage litters. The Transport Ministry in collaboration with the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) are organising to do the needful to clear up the pavements and make those available for the pedestrains. |
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