Ban on heavy vehicles on city highways mooted
by Ananda KANNANGARA
The City Police have focused attention on banning heavy vehicles
plying on main highways in the Colombo City during peak hours in the
mornings and evenings.
According to the police, containers, caterpillars and lorries with
heavy logs and boulders could cause road accidents. Therefore, laws must
be implemented forthwith to stop heavy vehicles plying on the main
highways at least during peak hours or direct them on alternative roads.
Police media spokesman Prishantha Jayakody told the Sunday Observer
that apart from accidents, heavy vehicles plying during peak hours could
also create traffic jams and office workers, patients, VIPs and even
Fire Brigade vehicles face untold hardships.
A senior police officer of the Maharagama police said a major tragedy
was averted at Wattegedara Junction at Maharagama on Wednesday evening
when a large container slanted dangerously at a bend and came to a halt
short of toppling. “Fortunately, no one was injured since it slanted
towards a tree at the bend,” he said.
Meanwhile, a lorry loaded with logs which attempted to use the newly
constructed flyover at the Dehiwala Junction caused a heavy traffic jam
around 6.30 pm recently and as a result an ambulance which was heading
towards Colombo from Kalubolwila Hospital had to stop on the flyover for
more than 15 minutes.
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