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| Sunday, 8 May 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Road safety : Whose responsibility is it? by Chamitha Kuruppu and Rikaza Hassan The tragic railroad collision that took place at Alawwa two weeks ago has brought to the forefront the constant risk faced by those who use the bus as a means of travel. Nearly forty of the commuters were killed and the bus driver and conductor were both charged with manslaughter. "Prevention is better than cure" they say and in this instance it could have not only saved the lives of dozens of innocents but also left many unscarred both physically and mentally.
According to Traffic Police Chief SSP Lucky Peiris, a majority of road accidents are caused due to a lack of discipline among bus drivers and conductors. He stresses that many drivers consider having the driving licence a 'right' bestowed on them and have no respect for passengers. SSP Peiris says that errant drivers and violation of highway rules have become a common scenario in Sri Lanka. The competition among private bus drivers has led to many fatal road accidents and has taken the lives of innocent passengers. But, can we only blame the drivers and conductors? Why cannot bus owners take stern action against their employees? The Traffic Police chief notes that private bus owners are more concerned about the profit they make and do not properly supervise the drivers and conductors under their employment. "Bus owners encourage their crew to drive nasty and hasty. When things go wrong they try to put the blame on the drivers and conductors and wash their hands off". However, the Traffic Chief emphasises that the Police alone cannot take measures to reduce the ever increasing road accidents. Organisations such as the National Transport Commission (NTC) and Road Development Authority (RDA) should lend a helping hand to the Police to enforce traffic laws. The NTC can play a vital role by putting up informative sign boards. The RDA too can be supportive by having hazard signs when road repairs are taking place, explains SSP Peiris. "The Traffic Police is not in a position to deploy police officers everywhere. We are unable to provide a 100 per cent service with the few men and vehicles we have,". However, when the law enforcing body claims that they are unable to enforce road rules due to lack of staff and other facilities, the general public in the country can help the Police by providing information about errant drivers. Pedestrians and commuters too have an important role to play. Due to any circumstance passengers should not endorse wrong acts of drivers. Passengers have a right to complain to the Police or any other relative authority. "It is just a matter of dialling 119 or 118 and informing the police when they come across any errant drivers, and the Police will reward such people," says SSP Peiris. Meanwhile, the Private Bus Owners Association (PBOA) has come forward to safeguard the commuters by implementing a special passenger fund. According to PBOA President Gemunu Wijeratne, bus owners pay over 800 million rupees to insurance companies every year, but most insurance companies are reluctant to pay the third party insurance coverage. "We have learnt that compensation for the Alawwa railroad accident victims have not been paid so far. So we decided to coordinate with the government and set up a special fund for the passengers," says Wijeratne. When queried what action would be taken to minimise the number of daily increasing road accidents, Wijeratne says that until the private bus service is reorganised, the present trend will continue. The competition among bus drivers is the foremost contributing factor for lack of discipline among them. According to PBOA President until the Transport Ministry issues individual route permits, the competition will continue taking many more lives of innocent passengers. "We have discussed with the government to implement one responsible institution in each sector, which will manage all private bus operations and abolish the present route permit system. By doing this we look forward to minimising competition among private buses," Wijeratne pointed out. "It is the only solution to safeguard commuters,". Meanwhile, a special program has been launched by the Ministry of Transport especially to protect pedestrians and passengers following the fatal Alawwa accident. According to Transport Minister Felix Perera measures will be taken to deduct 1 per cent from all third party insurances in order to compensate road accident victims. "We look forward to minimise the number of accidents by strictly enforcing existing highway rules. The need of the hour is to provide a sound training for drivers and conductors, both mentally and physically," noted the Transport Minister. However, the National Transport Commission Chairman Amal Kumarage points out that although the commuters are given an opportunity to complain against errant drivers, the institution hardly receives any response. "Initially we thought this was due to lack of awareness. Therefore, the NTC educated the public about commuter rights through the media. But, even after the advertisements we hardly get any complaints," he said. **** Commuters' Rights To only pay the stipulated bus fare To request the conductor for a ticket for the amount paid To travel safely until he reaches the desired destination To receive respectful and well-mannered service from both the driver and the conductor If travelling by normal service to pay half the amount for children aged between 3 years and 12 years. If travelling in a luxury service bus demand for proper air condition To request a non-smoking environment inside the bus while travelling To protest against errant drivers, when driving recklessly and dangerously, when violating highway rules To object if loud music is played inside the bus The passenger is the most important individual in a bus, therefore, he has the right to receive due respect from others. National Transport Commission
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| Produced by Lake House |
The Alawwa accident is not an isolated incident but one of the worst of
many that occur ever so often. Just two days after the said incident,
another bus made the same mistake but was thankfully reported by a commuter
and just a week later another two buses collided at the Kurunegala highway.
The fault, more often than not, lays at the feet of the bus drivers. 
