Awareness on jaywalking

2 September 2011 09:20 am - 32 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Colombo city traffic police have initiated an awareness programme for the public to educate the public on the importance of using zebra crossings when crossing the road.

In a an attempt to limit jaywalking the police carried out the awareness program in Colombo today to ensure pedestrians cross the road only at zebra crossings and overhead bridges.

Police said that the programme to create awareness among the public will continue for a considerable time period and thereafter the law will be strictly enforced against jaywalkers.

“The police will first create awareness but we will not impose fines and take strict police action against jaywalkers at the beginning,” police media spokesman Prishantha Jayakody said.

The programme was conducted in the Colombo district throughout the day noting that jaywalking has resulted in a rise in accidents. “Until the pedestrians are educated we will conduct the awareness programme,” he added.

The police request the public to use pedestrian crossings to prevent road accidents and traffic congestion. However, observations conducted near the busy pedestrian crossings have pointed to the need of better education for the pedestrians to obey the traffic lights when crossing the roads. (Supun Dias)

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Comments - 32

niyaz Saturday, 03 September 2011 02:32 AM

How long will this last. This is like a new broom. They implemented this in Kandy. I was there about a month ago and there are still people jay walking. One woman crossed while a policeman was standing maybe 15 feet away. So much for fines.

ASFAR Monday, 05 September 2011 03:32 AM

please educate people who cross while talking on the cellphones. very dangerous.

R.VELAIUTHAPILLAI Sunday, 04 September 2011 03:03 AM

IT IS A GOOD ATTEMPT. MOST IMPORTANT IS TRAINING THE DRIVERS. HOW MANY ARE DRIVING WHILE SPEAKING IN MOBILE, INCLUSIVE OF PRIVATE BUS DRIVERS. COMPLIANCE WITH LANE DRIVING IS NOT FOLLOWED BY MANY DRIVERS.

AGAIN THE TIME GIVEN IN ZEBRA CROSSING IS VERY MINIMAL, SOME PLACES YOU HAVE TO RUN. ALL PEDESTRIANS ARE NOT YOUNG. AGAIN THE LIGHT SIGNALS ARE NOT UNIFORM, SOME HANGING FROM TREES, SOME WITH ARROWS, SOME WITH DIGITAL TIMING. THESE SHOULD BE COMMON. AS A DRIVER I AM SOMETIMES CONFUSED.

faqi Saturday, 03 September 2011 08:16 PM

Actually in Sri Lanka its best to educate the drivers of vehicles first; that a pedestrian has the right of way at any marked crossing. Most sri Lankan drivers do not even slow down as they come to a pedestrian crossing. Also, jay walkers who cross the road at places not marked should be fined, as done in other countries.

S Aran Johnny Saturday, 03 September 2011 04:37 PM

You should have whacked the fellow and told him to go to the cops instead.

lanka Saturday, 03 September 2011 02:00 PM

And then the driver gets the license back in mere weeks. The victim is not compensated for years unitl court case is over. There was on paralysed man who has had a court case for 17 years.

Dosthara Hondahitha Saturday, 03 September 2011 12:59 PM

Some pedestrians think railway crossings are equivalent to pedestrian crossings and cross the road at these railway tracks causing motorists to stop their vehicles right on top of the railroad which is dangerous. Happened to me a couple of times at the Nugegoda Stanley Tilakaratne Mw railway crossing... most recently yesterday! Wish the police would take sterner action.

Sue Saturday, 03 September 2011 12:18 PM

Educating the motorists will be a bigger problem because most of them think they own the road and never allow pedestrians to cross even at a crossing unless the police are present. Some of them even shout in filth when we try to cross. Best of luck to anyone that can educate the rowdy elements in our country.

Calistus Jayatilleke Saturday, 03 September 2011 11:59 AM

Another God-given chance for the corrupt cops to make a neat buck from the offenders!

Tom Cruse Jr Saturday, 03 September 2011 10:58 AM

Zebra crossings cannot be see, first mark them properly so its easy to identify a zebra crossing………In SL rules are made but not implemented and if so you can get away with a – Peacock note or Monara given to the Hora Police.

puchi Saturday, 03 September 2011 07:25 AM

if all goes well it will be nice to orderly traffic (man and machine). Then all would move faster

Mervyn Saturday, 03 September 2011 06:33 AM

New brooms sweep well. The police will hide the broom under the carpet after some time.

RatherCynical Saturday, 03 September 2011 06:00 AM

Absolutely right Malkanthi. on 22 Aug 2011, first thing Monday morning, a long-time workmate of mine, mother of two, was KNOCKED DOWN AND RUN OVER by a bus right in the middle of the zebra crossing! She died on the spot, within yards to her workplace. So what's the bloody point, a one-sided bid to educate only the pedestrians would be totally fruitless, with reckless drivers running riot all over!

SLMAN Saturday, 03 September 2011 03:37 AM

only for few days after that policeman also cross the road from everywhere. the classic example is borella junction

mohamed Saturday, 03 September 2011 03:28 AM

good move but educate 3 wheelers,motocycles & pushbicycle feloows not to use the pavements for short cut rides

Jazz Saturday, 03 September 2011 02:27 AM

Very important initiative by the traffic police. However, they must also ensure that there are adequate numbers of 'zebra crossings' established in a methodical maner and that these crossing are effectivley identified even at night (by erecting' crossing' road signs) for the convenience of the public.

malkanthi Friday, 02 September 2011 09:40 AM

But there are accidents on the crossing line! educate the drivers too!

Jayantha de Alwis Saturday, 03 September 2011 12:24 AM

In order for pedestrians to walk safely, you need to remove all unauthorized structures from the roads and payments. Public should cooperate and should not buy goods from payment hawkers.

Wantok Mali Friday, 02 September 2011 11:05 PM

Bravo, Its a Good move!!!

Siddiq Friday, 02 September 2011 05:35 PM

Its a grand move as pedestrians are clearly at fault. But hold it, cops shud be placed at zebra crossings to ensure that motorists stop and give way to the pedestrian, failure to do so should result in a heavy fine for the motorist.

Fair N Square Friday, 02 September 2011 05:14 PM

A good move... we need a civilized society. The infastructure alone will not help. Simultaneously the Private bus drivers along with 3 wheller drivers and motor cyclist not forgetting the drivers of Luxury vehicles ownded by POLITICOS need to be educated.... Once done come up with hefty fines and demerit points leading to cancelation on the priviledges of driving...

techiguru Friday, 02 September 2011 05:17 PM

Time the police looks into the below issues by the erratic drivers :

1. Vehicles "should" slow down or "STOP" when someone is crossing the road at a crossing, and not go veering around those crossing.
2. The red light means "stop" and the green means "go" not the other way around..... unless our sri lankan law is in reversed since i last noticed.
If u want to change a lane, signal and do else, go to the jungle and drive freely.
3. Keep to the lane... if a road has two lanes.. it means two vehicles parallel.... it doesn't mean that two cars, a bus, a threewheele and a motorcycle can creep in together.
4. get on to the correct lane before approach the traffic lights...
5.we dont need police to control a traffic light junction which is working already... why make a big mess...?

Hope the police will learn from the mistakes....

Sam Souza, Friday, 02 September 2011 03:52 PM

Some of our hooligan drivers nerver respect the Zebra crossings
Pedestrians end up at the middle of the crossing.
Souza,

SL Friday, 02 September 2011 12:10 PM

No body will cilm that and will be occupied by beggars.

Desh Friday, 02 September 2011 11:37 AM

Also can the Police teach the bus drivers and their conductors some descipline? Sick of watching reckless driving and insane packing by conductors!!

Jhone Friday, 02 September 2011 10:03 AM

zebra crossings not sufficient, for each 200 meters overhead bridge need to cross main roads in colombo..
galle road... duplication. twon hall.petta, borella where traffic is congested....

ravindrakumar Friday, 02 September 2011 10:09 AM

Appreciate your effort, in the mean time you must take immediate steps to educate the private bus,three wheeler drivers how to drive on public roads.this is my humble request please.

Dr Dre Friday, 02 September 2011 09:54 AM

If the govt is serious about developing our towns and cities, and want pedestrians to behave properly, the councils will also need to reciprocate. The public needs pavements, safe and frequent crossings, as well as good street lights for the evening. I'm glad the police won't be imposing strict fines and education is indeed the way forward. The country lacks discipline and hopefully we will see an improvement

christo Friday, 02 September 2011 09:54 AM

Well said Malkanthi, educate these three wheeler feloows and the bus drivers. Yesterday my side mirror was hit three times by a three wheel driver who cut across a no crossing line. He had the audacity to tell me to go to the police if I wanted to, knowing very well cops will not do any thing. Then only this country will start to drive and walk easy

archiss Friday, 02 September 2011 09:51 AM

good move, disciplines the pedestrians plus the motorists

KodeNathiSriLankan Friday, 02 September 2011 09:49 AM

Please mark the pedestrian crossing properly and they has to be illuminated at night.

mohamed mishkath Friday, 02 September 2011 09:50 AM

i think it's good move by police........

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Awareness on jaywalking

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