In U-turn, three-wheelers bow to safety rules, including speed limit

Three-wheeler passenger safety measures including a 40-kilometre per hour speed limit will become effective after all operators dropped earlier objections.

An amended version of the Motor Traffic Act gazetted in January will soon be published.

The National Council for Road Safety, chair man, Sisira Kodagoda, claimed that measures to regularise three-wheeler services was delayed because three- wheeler associations objected.

The regulations gazetted on January 9 this year relate to passenger safety. N o w, all three-wheeler associations have agreed to the amended regulations, he said.

According to Mr Kodagoda, the next gazette notice will include the amendments. The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva, is due to present the amended version to the cabinet by the end of next week.

The amended regulations will include a 40 kilometre per hour speed limit, a limit on three passengers, although if children are travelling, two adults can accompany as passengers.

A fare meter and speedometer are mandatory.

Also, the distance between the driver’s seat and the passenger seat should be 21.5 centimetres.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Nihal Somaweera told the Sunday Times, that law enforcement is in the hands of the police and if any law is not implemented, then the public has the right to complain.

According to Mr Somaweera the gazette issued this year covers the powers of the Government under the Motor Traffic Act.

“If regulations were presented with regard to fares or parking, the Government does not hold power to regularise because these vehicles like the school vans, come under the purview of the Provincial Councils, as these vehicles do not move beyond a province often,’’ he said.

The amended regulations will include a 40 kilometre per hour speed limit, a limit on three passengers, although if children are travelling, two adults can accompany as passengers