Methods in the madness that are threewheelers: Police

Police have launched a campaign to educate threewheeler drivers on the new regulations which have been gazetted and will be implemented soon, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police (Traffic) Palitha Fernando told the Sunday Times.

DIG Fernando said they will advise trishaw drivers who use inappropriate lights, sound setups and horns, to remove them.

Under the new regulations, any music played should be confined to the threewheeler.

He said that, Traffic Police officers are instructed to advise threewheeler drivers that use of meters has been made mandatory. Therefore, to possess the equipment before the regulations are strictly implemented.

“We are requesting threewheeler drivers to be present at Colombo Traffic Police headquarters to take part in awareness programmes on the rules and regulations to be implemented,” he said

Meanwhile, the Transport Ministry said the gazzetted rules and regulations on threewheelers will be implemented within three months after being taken up in Parliament.

Transport Ministry Secretary Nihal Somaweera explained the delay is deliberate, to facilitate a grace period for the threewheeler drivers to instal meters and convert their vehicle to passenger-friendly vehicles.

He further said the rules will be implemented after April, when police will strictly enforce the law against threewheeler drivers found wanting.

“The Transport Ministry will publish notices in all public areas to educate the public,” he said.

Among the rules imposed would be, making it mandatory for the display of information regarding the driver and the vehicle on the back of the driving seat; the owner or driver is not permitted to engage in the distribution of posters and bills for advertising or promotional purposes while driving; a driver cannot have a passenger on the driver's seat; a meter is a must and should also indicate the time spent by the passenger during the hire and speed of the vehicle.