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| Sunday, 9 October 2005 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Good driving
contest
by Elmo Leonard Sri Lanka's annual death toll from motor accidents is 2,100 and such misadventures are also a strain on insurance companies. To help ease the situation, Sri Lanka Insurance (SLI), the Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC) and Sri Lanka Police staged a good driving contest on October 8. Titled, `Formula Plus-Good Driver 2005', the competition required drivers to traverse a course of around 30 kilometres through the city of Colombo from 9 am to 1 pm. Over 40 judges observed the drivers at varying locations along the course of the trial. The judges maintained a check on the contestants, for compliance with good driving practices, driving techniques and adherence to the highway code. The participant who scored the highest mark was judged the winner, and received the IGP's Trophy, Suren Cooke of CMSC told the media. With the interest created, the organisers feel that the public will reject bad driving as socially unacceptable, motor consultant to SLI, Suren Galagoda said. Answering questions, SSP, Lucky Peiris said that speeding, improper driving and overtaking lead to the majority of accidents on the highways. Some insurance companies were also contributing to the occurrence of accidents by settling claims where accidents were not reported to the police, the SSP said. A SLI official said that it is not necessary to furnish a report by the police for insurance claims. The SSP said that there are often cases of hit-and-run and deaths. The reporting of accidents helps monitor accidents which occur. The recent increased penalties for drivers breaking the highway code, even the death penalty, should not trouble those who do not flout the law, the SSP said. The Ceylon Motor Sports Club, the local representative of the World Governing Body of Motor Sports (the FIA) drew up the competition based on international guidelines. The competition was based on an international initiative called formula zero, which targeted zero fatality on the road and on the race track. SLI has also been instrumental in promoting safety when motoring. In May, the Formula Plus-Sri Lanka Motor Show was held. A feature of it was to provide the public with information on the proper operation and maintenance of their vehicles in the interest of preventing accidents to themselves and the pedestrians. SLI provides 75 percent of insurance claims in 24 hours and the full claim within three days, SLI's additional general manager marketing, Sanjaya Senarath said. SLI's formula plus policy provides quick personalised claims settlement with high level of assurance to policyholders who meet with an accident while travelling on the road, Senarath said. SLI is also the first and only company which has a full-fledged 24-hour Roadside Assistance program islandwide, which helps policyholders overcome setbacks while on the road, it was claimed. This exercise lessens possibilities of accidents and congestion on the highways due to such unforeseen hazards. The Formula Plus-Good driver 2005 competition included a maximum of 50
participants competing and was opened to licensed drivers of all ages,
Sheran Fernando of CMSL said. |
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