Killer-wheeler 50km speed stunt enters danger zone
A leading importer said drivers are advised to maintain a speed of 40km/ph. The company imports 2,000 three-wheelers a month. A company official said a safety lock prevents a driver from turning a three-wheeler abruptly at a life-threatening 90-degree angle, but that drivers disable the mechanism.
Notoriously unstable three-wheelers have killed 358 people this year and they must not be allowed to run at speeds of 50 kilometres per hour, road-safety advocates and law enforcers insist. But three-wheeler operators cite unverified fuel-efficiency claims in seeking to raise the speed limit from 40 km/ph to 50km/ph.
Three-wheelers are unstable and prone to rollovers, studies by engineers have shown. They say accidents are caused by oversteering and understeering at high speeds. They are also known to topple when turning and braking.
National Council for Road Safety, Chairman, Dr Sisira Kodagoda, frowns on the proposal made by a three-wheeler group to the Minister of Transport Nimal Siripala de Silva earlier this week, and which the authorities said would be considered.
Dr Kodagoda said three-wheelers have the least impact resistance.
“I met three-wheeler importers and distributors to discuss the speed levels and they agree that the speed must remain under 40 kilometres per hour,” he said. At high speeds, three-wheelers could easily roll over, `He said that while the minister had not so far agreed to the three-wheeler operators’ request, he has sought professional advice.
Palitha Fernando, the Police Deputy Inspector General of Traffic, said there was no legal provision to act against three-wheelers that exceed speed limits.
He said that in the past 11 months, 325 fatal three-wheeler accidents have caused 348 deaths. Last year, 300 accidents claimed 350 lives.
A leading importer said drivers are advised to maintain a speed of 40km/ph. The company imports 2,000 three-wheelers a month. A company official said a safety lock prevents a driver from turning a three-wheeler abruptly at a life-threatening 90-degree angle, but that drivers disable the mechanism.
All Island Three-wheeler Drivers' Association head Lalith Dharmasekara said the 50km/ph speed idea had been presented by another group citing the need to operate the vehicles to achieve improved fuel consumption.
“Vehicles should not be regulated on the basis of engine capacity. They should be regulat- ed for the safety of passengers. I am not in favour of increasing the speed [to 50km/ph],’’he said.
Meanwhile, the National Joint Trishaw Drivers and Workers Association chairman K D Alwis countered that fuel consumption was a vital element in the business. He claimed that drivers can control three-wheelers at speeds of 50km/ph.
He said that the meeting with the transport minister was fruitful in that he had suggested discussing it again. They also had discussions with Dr Kodagoda.
Janaka Widanarachchi, a mechanic who owns a car repair shop, explained that three-wheelers are not stable at 50km/ph.
He said that a three-wheeler body is made from 20mm steel, which can’t withstand high impact collisions. He added that at a higher speed three-wheelers can achieve fuel efficiency, but that drivers should be aware of the risks to passengers.
But, much like the three-wheeler operators, he did not cite any research data to back up the observation.
Widanarachchi also said that traffic police should carry out regular checks to deter drivers from disabling the steering safety locks.
The Deputy Minister of Transport Asoka Abeysinghe favors regulating the speed of three-wheelers.