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Seat belts for tuk-tuks soon

23 July 2016 10:47 am - 22     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva had instructed the National Council for Road Safety (NCRS) to formulate a safety code for three-wheeler taxis and to make it mandatory to use safety belts for three-wheel taxis.

He said he would bring an Act shortly to make it compulsory to wear safety belts by users of three wheelers.

Minister De Silva revealed this when he participated at a ceremony at the Sethsiripaya premises at Battaramulla, to launch a modern three-wheeler with special safety gadgets.

“Traffic Police reports indicate that the biggest number of fatalities in road accidents involve three wheelers. We read on newspapers and watch on the TV daily about the fatal accidents involving three wheelers. The main reason for accidents that involve three-wheelers is that this popular vehicle known as the Poor Man’s Vehicle lacks safety equipment, in addition to carelessness and indiscipline of three wheeler drivers,” he said.

“However, I believe that if three wheelers were fixed with safety apparatus such as seat belts, we will be able to minimise road accidents involving three wheelers,” Minister De Silva emphasized.

Minister De Silva pointed out that nearly 1.5 million three wheelers were on the roads at any given time and a majority of them run with technical and mechanical defects, exposing them to dangers and added the number of three wheelers were much more than the necessity.

Minister De Silva stressed the need to educate three wheeler drivers on safe driving and maintaining of discipline as three wheelers and three wheeler drivers have not earned a good name in the society.

He said a modern three wheeler manufactured by a private firm with essential safety equipment, would be introduced shortly as a pilot project.

The manufacturer NCRS’ Dr. Sisira Kodagoda was also present at the demonstration.(Sandun A. Jayasekera)


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  Comments - 22

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  • Ach-cha-ru Saturday, 23 July 2016 02:16 PM

    Gov and Traffic Police should implement/conduct special tuk tuk driving policy to it's drivers why they create huge traffics and space/short cuts in roads

    gramini Tuesday, 26 July 2016 03:29 AM

    To increase safety of all road users train the drivers to follow lane discipline.

    Anton Monday, 25 July 2016 12:43 AM

    I wonder how they are going to have 7-8 seat belts enough for the number of passengers they load in to the back seat.

    Malli Sunday, 24 July 2016 11:09 PM

    Hello Mr Minister Good move Make sure you implement this requirement on all long distance private or SLTB buses.Most head injuries of accidents are due to not wearing seat belts by passengers make passengers safe by implementing this rule fast.Analyse the recent bus accidents you will see the reason.for head injuries are due to non wearing of seat belt by passengers Save lives with this rule

    Henry Sunday, 24 July 2016 02:34 AM

    If you observe the passengers

    wales Saturday, 23 July 2016 09:59 PM

    Remember, Princess of Wales did not wear the seat belt on that sad day; otherwise she would have escaped.

    lokka Saturday, 23 July 2016 03:40 PM

    Yahapalanaya jokes via DM Android App

    moodayoo Saturday, 23 July 2016 03:34 PM

    nonsense..this indian scraps must ban..this is not designed to transport people..only to kill..

    nuke Saturday, 23 July 2016 03:18 PM

    seatbelts for tuk tuks? tuk tuks shouldnt be in SL in the first place. crappy solution.

    seqi Saturday, 23 July 2016 03:13 PM

    give MPs tuktuk duty free permits via DM Android App

    Bala Saturday, 23 July 2016 02:59 PM

    By seat belts - how will that be able to minimise road ACCIDENTS involving three wheelers. May minimise some injury but not accidents. Stupid idea. To reduce accidents ensure road rules fully observed by all drivers and tuktuk max speed fixed by Agents so drivers do not speed over 45kph and max three pasengers to ensure stability.

    ANTON Saturday, 23 July 2016 11:11 AM

    AT LEAST THIS MIGHT KEEP THEM FROM TURNING TUK-TUK HANDLE MORE THAN 90 DEGREES.

    chandra Saturday, 23 July 2016 01:35 PM

    Joke of the day!!!

    KAN Saturday, 23 July 2016 12:51 PM

    Seat belts are necessary but following are the reasons for accidents:1. Excessive speed 2.wrong overtaking 3. changing lanes without looking right or left 4. sudden turnings to left or right resulting somersaulting of three wheeler 5.sudden brakes which injures passengers 6. trying to move in narrow spaces resulting in accidents with other vehicles etc.

    antonius Saturday, 23 July 2016 12:46 PM

    what about a maximum of persons in a tuk tuk,, in case of an accident anyway not more people than the maximum can get hurt or killed!!

    TJ Saturday, 23 July 2016 12:34 PM

    The safety standard of the tuk-tuk is very poor.The very design itself is flawed. Making seat belts mandatory is not going to prevent fatalities.It can only hoodwink the people for sometime.

    Rasika Weerasinghe Saturday, 23 July 2016 11:53 AM

    First of all, Tuk Tuks are not safe for passenger transportation. A huge number of innocent lives had been lost in cennection with Tuk Tuk rides. Installing seat belts is not the answer.

    Gamini Saturday, 23 July 2016 11:48 AM

    May I suggest a crossbar instead of a seat belt... like the ones installed in roller coasters....!!

    R Nadraj Saturday, 23 July 2016 11:27 AM

    Good that is a good move. We must look into the dangers faced by other road users by the three wheel drivers. Please take measures to discipline the three wheel drives. Most accidents are caused by their indiscipline driving. This is more important than seat belts.

    Sincere Saturday, 23 July 2016 11:26 AM

    Before belts, educate them on riding their ruk tuks on roads with a discipline.

    ANTON Saturday, 23 July 2016 11:14 AM

    WHAT IS MOST NEEDED IS TO TRAIN THEM HOW DRIVE ON BUSY ROADS ,MEANING OF SIGN BOARDS AND ROAD MARKINGS. THESE ARE NOT OBSERVED IN THEIR TRIAL RUNS.

    Gopi Kitnasamy Saturday, 23 July 2016 11:13 AM

    It's a good move, but they also should have some strict rules likeThree wheeler driving license should be given only after 21 yrs of ageDriving test and training compulsory before their licenseLicense renewal every yearStrict speed limits Meter in all tuk tuksUniform for the driversIdentity card and registration for the drivers


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