Bringing about good practices on our roads; fines not the only way

Much is being discussed about road safety, traffic congestion, road traffic accidents, casualties and fatalities by various parties including the government, opposition, general public, media and police. The topic became hotly debated among current issues when budget proposals for 2017 were presented in Parliament which proposed high cash penalties for some selected traffic offences. But can a country or society expect a good control of offences by only imposing heavy punishments?

Since Sri Lanka is a developing country, it may be unfair to compare it with a developed country. In UK honking while driving behind another vehicle is considered unacceptable. That kind of discipline arises from the society itself, though such written laws are not in existence. In our society, ill disciplined attitudes and practices are uppermost when it comes to traffic or any kind of offence.

However, now a certain level of resistance has come to the table against imposing large fines. It will be better for the government to take steps to revise them with the consultation of parties concerned.

In place of cash fines, there are other ways of punishments which can be implemented. Eg: suspending a driving licence for a certain period, according to the gravity of offence. Proposals of this nature were made a few years back, but for some reasons they were not followed up.

There are many driving schools owned by the private sector. The qualifications of trainers in these institutions are not assessed by any responsible authority. The CTB also conducts some training schools in various bus depots islandwide but none of these units conduct training sessions during nights with head lamps on. It is the beginner after passing the test and obtaining the licence who will have to learn on his/her own at night to drive with head lights on. Drivers should have more discipline when driving at night. The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) should take steps to regularize and monitor all training schools and trainers to maintain a standard island-wide, with the focus on producing well disciplined good drivers in the country.

The road structure in our country is yet to be developed. Road expansion and renovations should take further steps. Cyclists and pedestrians should be allocated separate lanes on roads in urban areas. Traffic light systems with countdown facility should be installed in big towns. Overhead pedestrian crossings were tried some time back, but the disabled were not taken into account.

The Government should take steps to expand train services in the country, with more emphasis on transport of petroleum and goods on a large scale to reduce the burden of heavy vehicles such as lorries and containers on the roads. It is better if rules are made to permit heavy vehicles to run during night hours to reduce traffic congestion. Commuters should be encouraged to use train services as much as possible by providing a good train service running on time without delays.

In agricultural areas we notice the hand tractors run on roads in an unsafe manner. Some four wheel tractors operate with additionally mounted metal wheels and plough. These are more vulnerable to accidents. Furthermore, necessary steps should be taken to remove stray dogs and cattle from the roads by local authorities. A mechanism should be introduced to fine people who are responsible for allowing such animals on roads.

Those who throw garbage on the roads should also be fined.

It is the responsibility of every citizen to maintain good practices in using roads, obey the rule of law with a view to reducing road accidents, minimising road casualties and becoming a healthy nation - a role model to others. Dr.J.Ranathunga Kurunegala