First accident on expressway

Monday, 28 November 2011 09:21

An accident occurred on the Southern Expressway at 7.10 this morning, at the 8th mile post in Kahatuduwa .

The two individuals who were injured were travelling to Colombo. They were admitted to the Horana Hospital and have now been discharged.

The police said that the individuals were identified as a foreigner and a local driver and they had been travelling over the speed limit of 100kmph.

The expressway was declared open last morning, in a ceremony by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. (Buddika Kumarasiri)

Comments

-55+285#MOHAMED ASFAR2011-11-28 09:44

not using the signal lights when turning, not using the wipers when raining, not honking when someone crossing the road, not using the head lights even after 7.00 pm are some of our mistakes. we must learn a lot before step into the highways.

-50+281#sri lankan2011-11-28 10:57

honking when someone crssing the road ??? highway???? where the hell we have crossings on highway.. pls make sense

-23+86#Sabrina2011-11-28 17:48

@ # sri lankan >>. What MOHAMED ASFAR said was true and he talked about that considering "SRI LANKANS", but not HIGHWAYS at all..

-13+1#sanka2011-11-29 11:05

This so called Highway got only 2 lanes in one side . therefore there is a possiblity of ppl crossing . Does it makes sense to you .

-22+100#Mahesh2011-11-28 13:53

Just give a call to policeman friend you know. He will get the driving license out of the police. Sri Lankan style.

-1+18#Aristotle2011-11-29 09:59

In civilized countries motorist "honk" the horn only in real emergencies. In Sri Lanka driving means "honking" the horn. This is very poor practice and uncivilized.

-4+1#loku2011-11-29 11:55

Amen! Hallelujah!

-0+7#Yuri2011-11-29 10:27

Most of the comments reflect mentality of the Sri Lankan. its Simple, most Sri Lankan drivers does not have driving Technics, driving like Donkeys. reduce speed according to road or weather condition, keep in lane,check before change lane,

-0+0#Darren2011-11-29 14:06

well said Mr.Mohamed.I agree 1000%

-0+0#victoria2011-11-29 15:07

Beyond this the drivers should be able read and understand the road signs and also markings ! 100KMph is not a high speed for an expressway, yet in bends the speed should be reduced and there should be markings indicating the oncoming bends to keep the appropriate speed according to the bend arc?

-11+66#chintha2011-11-28 09:57

Hope you r not series condition though!

-19+229#Aristotle2011-11-28 09:58

As I expected and anticipated. Keep off the expressway until these careless men get killed. Then the expressway will be safe to use. Like to see the VIP vehicles on the expressway.

-8+47#Reality bits2011-11-28 12:07

good one

-8+209#Dilan2011-11-28 09:58

Vehicle and tyre condition should be checked prior to entering the highway.

-9+156#Manik2011-11-28 10:52

Good suggestion. But remember this is Sri Lanka. If you are going to check tire conditions and vehicle conditions, half the vehicles in SL will not be fit enough to enter the expressway.

-7+47#Moda Rata Wesiya2011-11-28 18:12

Good suggestion. Who will be going to check...??? Give them a "SANTHOSAM". You are through.

-42+113#Anil2011-11-28 10:24

The speed limit is way beyond what our drivers can handle. They should have started with 70kmph and slowly increased it to 100kmph.

-49+64#Don2011-11-28 12:04

Normal roads are meant for people like you Anil

-14+66#NE2011-11-28 12:52

Then it would not be a highway

-38+22#Baron2011-11-28 10:35

Please do not insult Aristotle, if he was alive he woudn't have made such blunt comment.

-2+18#jterm2011-11-28 18:05

actually most eccentric scholars were known for making non politically correct "blunt" statements. They were non-conformists.

-3+46#eresh S kumara2011-11-28 10:55

Try to Use Side Mirrors while your turning or passing on High ways

-1+10#Fair N Square2011-11-28 22:06

Who turns in a highway ? either u EXIT or drive straight... I used it from Galle to Colombo around 7.05 pm. We were driving on average around 95 and made it in 1 hr 2 mins.. It was raining and we saw some speed way above 140... 1st we have to educate the drivers...

They should have handed over instructions earlier than on the day of FIRST use. I am proud to say the highway is NOT 2nd to the ones in USA n Canada that I have driven on...

Hats off to those who were instrumental in this Expressway taking shape...

-1+76#MK2011-11-28 10:56

Its high time that people got use to sticking to their lanes. Good decision to keep the busses off the expressway.

-7+67#Thanish2011-11-28 10:56

We hav to understand that all of us must have basic driving discipline which many of us do not follow which is the sad truth. This highway is opened after immense hardwok n love for our country. We the users of the highway have to drive safely at high speeds n ensure that both us n the highway should be cared for. Ultimately it's our first love of our country after the war. God bless Sri Lanka.

Let's Drive safely.

-9+68#Achari2011-11-28 10:57

Must fix cameras to catch the speed limit violators and fine and suspend the license at least for 01 year.

-4+43#experienced driver2011-11-28 15:15

I drive on the highway around 100km/hour every day, this is in Dubai though. but driving here is much easier than in Sri lanka and safer. Because people are deciplined in changing lanes, they use the signal and do not change lane to overtake when there is not enough room in the road.

-14+20#sandman2011-11-28 10:57

A good start !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but sad for the occupants hopefully they were not seriously injured.

-16+71#Dalu Banda2011-11-28 10:59

Any damage to the road should be recovered from the driver and if he cannot pay, should give mandatory prison terms.

-8+71#Gamarala2011-11-28 11:04

Looks like phase 2 should be to construct an accident ward closeby.

-4+58#Ziyard2011-11-28 11:10

Put the photo of the man who met the accident is the FIRST CARELESS MAN.

-27+21#Trevine2011-11-28 11:10

What happend to the super cop cars?? :S

-1+33#kondebendapucheena2011-11-28 11:12

Driving in Expressways total different ball game must learn quickly or fall in to trouble

-17+35#Visitor2011-11-28 11:14

Have any of you seen real highways in any other country

-4+19#kondebendapucheena2011-11-28 13:41

Yes I have driven N3 from Johannesburg to Durban in South Africa

-45+54#zavahir2011-11-28 11:14

100km/h is too much for two track. It must come below 80km/h

-7+25#CeeJay2011-11-28 15:42

Pls travel by bus or take the train...

-0+26#jterm2011-11-28 18:07

actually I vaguely remember single lane highways in the US with posted speed limits of around 55mph (translates to 88kmph) and almost every dual lane highway or Interstate as they were called were posted at 75mph (120 kmph). Therefore, I believe the speed limit is quite conservative for a road such as this. The only gambit in this case seems to be the relative immaturity / carelessness / inexperience of our drivers, thus, justifying a 100kmph limit.

-6+11#citizen12011-11-28 11:58

Aiyo!

-12+42#CommonSensePrevails2011-11-28 13:39

the highway/expressway was a good idea. but the priorisation was completely wrong. this was done as a showcase without proper planning.
before we make super highways, we must have standardised tests for checking vehicals annually whether they are fit for use. in the UK this is called the MoT (Ministry of Transport) certificate which is a legal requirement to have a vehicle on the road. To obtain this annual certificate, you must prove your brakes, engine, lights, seatbelts, tyres, etc are all in good condition. These vehicles may have been fit for use, but we all know a large proportion are not. Until these practices are implemented, sadly, this will not be an uncommon sight on the expressway.

-1+1#Tania2011-11-29 13:32

Couldn't agree more!!!

Better late than never, bring those regulations in before the fatalaties skyrocket.

-72+16#Dilan2011-11-28 13:54

Limit the speed to 40kmph.

-4+32#jobless2011-11-28 18:04

you should rather walk from colombo to galle..

-2+18#jterm2011-11-28 18:11

My dear sir, I hope your being sarcastic. If not, I truly hope the likes of you never hold any significant office at the RDA or Transportation ministry.

-9+50#Engineer2011-11-28 13:59

I dont know from where these commentators are giving their opinion on speed limits. This road was made to a design speed limit of 120kmph, to calculate the design speed a large number of complex variables have to be taken into consideration. And I pretty sure non of the commentators on here posses an Engineering Degree.

The posted speed limit on this highway is 100kmph taking in a 16% tolerance or safety factor. Once you go above the design speed limit you putting yourself as well as the public at much greater increased risk of serious injury or death as well increasing the what we call your exposure. And that's is exactly what happened here, this guy was probably well above the speed limit, and statistics took their natural course and acted in favor of most properly outcome. Saying that doesn't mean every driver who speeds will be killed, you are increasing your risk greatly by doing so.

-4+32#Engineer2011-11-28 13:59

Posting a speed limit of 2kmph will not help this situation, this guy clearly has no regard for the laws.Therefore his license should be revoked, and only given back once you fully understands the seriousness of the risks of driving. Majority of the drivers who observe posted speed limit, reaps the fruits of engineering. 99.9999% of the time they will not have any incidences.

-10+5#Shai2011-11-29 09:44

Mr engineer think in practical way, to understand the reality, no need digrees

-0+27#kalavedda2011-11-28 15:10

Who is going to be the first unlucky person to get killed on this expressway ?.
People should be educated to drive on expressways.

-3+34#CeeJay2011-11-28 15:13

No Point in discussing about speed limits or the condition of the vehicles.... have you noticed how most of the poeple drive... I think every person with a driving lisence should be given a new driving test...and I'll take a bet at least 50% will fail

-6+25#Psycho2011-11-28 15:40

Are they offering any prizes for the first accident?

-1+1#Aristotle2011-11-29 11:35

Many prizes on offer, I guess.

-3+16#shameel2011-11-28 15:54

Road has been carpeted very recently.....and today morning it was slightly wet./...so when taking bends drivers have to be careful.... Also always drives should adhere to following Lane markings....ultimately its just like playing a computer game

-1+23#Gorakaya2011-11-28 16:53

Next possible accident when changing lanes in high speed!

-1+21#Chutiya2011-11-28 17:11

Highways demads better tyres in the vehicles. We Sri Lankan are notorius to use alomst fully warn out tyres.
When rain the asfalt the road get slippery, warn out typrs do not have enough grip keep vehicle on the track.

-4+14#musthafa2011-11-28 17:46

Speed limit must be reduced during raining and fog season, if you come to Gulf region during fog speed limit must be not more than 15km/hr and during raining not more than 80km/h, since it is new road people drive very fast as blind- when they are entering the raod the guy sitting in the office to collect the money must give some instruction note to the driver to read. may be

-9+26#New lankan2011-11-28 17:57

Come on guys can anyone tell me a highway in the world without accidents ... Things happen .. Let the highway patrol and insurance company take care of the problem. It's not free so they will/should maintain the road always ...

-10+15#ampare son2011-11-28 18:08

Do not allow to fuel transport highway.

-0+0#anura withanage2011-11-28 22:24

about highway accident

-0+1#Jonna2011-11-28 22:25

If the drivers are not careful or not used to sustained high speed

driving their will be accidents no matter what car they drive!

-4+5#DASA2011-11-28 22:28

making expressways in Sri Lanka is like giving a pHD after O/L. There are lot of fixes to be done from the bottom up.

-3+5#MK2011-11-29 11:14

I think you are one who needs to fix from bottom up!!

-3+2#Paddy S2011-11-29 12:17

You are absolutely right.

-2+2#loku2011-11-28 22:29

I think half of the commentators above are just plain nuts!

-1+0#nilame2011-11-28 22:57

This is hilarious. A better opening ceremony than the lacklustre yawn-show yesterday.

-0+0#EGP2011-11-28 23:03

Where were the high-ranking PoliceOfficers who are supposed to patrol the highway, when the motorists exceeded the speed limit which resulted in the accident?

-0+1#John2011-11-28 23:03

Engineer talking. Forget about the expressway, can our engineers make a normal road to last for at least 2years , never in sri lanka.

-0+5#Jona2011-11-29 09:11

In other countries, drivers must look at top mirror, side mirrors, AND look over the shoulder before switching lanes. Also, traffic drives on the outer lane, and the inner lane is only for overtaking the slower vehicle in front of you. Without educating people on highway rules, the government is being very irresponsible and reckless to allow these bad drivers (90% of drivers in SL) to get on the road.

-0+7#Pingu2011-11-29 10:23

Highway should not allow underage CHILDREN IN FRONT SEAT: I noticed in a video footage a couple in a white car with the lady in front passenger seat with her child on her lap. This is very dangerous. Where is the common sense??

-0+8#RR lanka2011-11-29 10:29

How can they drive in expressways without knowing the road manners?

-2+4#Jiffry2011-11-29 11:01

The highway has a lot of stray dogs. Drivers are warmed. I drove down the highway last night. There was about 6 dead dogs on the road and I killed 2 dogs in my journey.

-0+2#Aristotle2011-11-29 11:36

Good elephants do not roam the expressway.

-0+3#chinthana2011-11-29 11:42

killing stray dogs is an offense. dog lovers should be deployed to protect them.

-0+0#Engineer2011-11-29 14:27

Highway patrol should be remove them, not for the safety of the dogs only but passengers too. A collision with a potato at these speeds is enough to shatter your windshield. energy of a collision increases exponential with speed, its not linear relationship. i.e
impact at 50ms-1
0.5*50^2 =1250j

impact at 100ms-1

0.5*100^2= 5,000j

2 fold increase in speed, is a 4 fold increase in impact energy.

-1+3#MOHAMED ASFAR2011-11-29 11:47

i was generally referring to the bad habits of our drivers. not about our highway at all. there are a lot of people crossing the streets of sri lanka without checking for vehicles. so, when there is a need for a driver to alert the person who is crossing i think better honk than hit him. our roads are not up to the standards of the west in comparison but our humanity is way better than those who talk about developed countries.

-0+0#Padma F2011-11-29 15:11

No need to worry about people crossing when talking about a highway. The main facts are proper driving training from a traffic school and condition of the vehicle. Most vehicles in SL are not roadworthy.

-1+41#MOHAMED1012011-11-29 11:50

Iam from Dubai , whoever lived in Dubai knows how advance is the road system and highways here in UAE. Every year one must go for vehicle passing to prove its fit, every 5 km there will be speed camera in any road, disciplined drivers, before over take check the center mirror, side mirror and use signal. Heavy vehicles are not allowed from 6AM- 9 PM in most of the roads .after 9 pm they can use only the dedicated last lane .if they drive in other lanes fined. moreover 0% vehicle tax so everyone can own a new vehicle here , most vehicle ownership rate compare to other leading cities Dubai 700 vehicle for 1000 ppl , where in new York 350 for 1000 , London 200 for 1000 and Singapore 50 for 1000

-0+0#jagath wettasinghe2011-11-29 13:45

owath wadada malli owath wadada?

-0+0#MOHAMED ASFAR2011-11-29 14:49

dear all, we never dreamed of having a highway this soon and here we are driving. so, we will learn the good driving habits eventually in the sri lankan way. to all sri lankans, we are developing fast enough to overtake you soon.

-0+1#Apsara2011-11-29 15:07

Engineer, to make a comment similar to you, the Engineering Degree is not required. With a common sense, a guy with a G.C.E. (A/L) qualification can comment as yours.

Apsara

-0+1#Rohan2011-11-29 15:47

My idea is what government should do
Fix the CCT camera,
Speed limed must be below 80-70kmph
Do not allow to bicycles
Container should allow to go 10pm to 5.30am on 2 track.
If possible fix the camera in all the vehicles. Specially private bus, container.

-0+0#Anton2011-11-29 16:30

On a UK motorway every day, for at least 45 mins. Here is no problem even u drive at 150kmph, cos drivers in UK more discipline and follow driver's basic manoeuvring procedure, mirror, signal and manoeuvre. But in SL this is not followed.

-0+0#Zaffry2011-11-29 17:55

Hey every one. Well yup we should agree to asfars comment when it. Comes to srilankan roads coz it's kinda hard to understand a srilankan pedestrian,but what is shown above is an express highway n as srilankan commented you don't have crossings on da highways n it is a fact that we all should agree.anyways end of da day it's our lives n we should think wise when we are on da wheels.highways new road ways single ways fly overs are all singnals off the development of a country,so I think we all should be thankful to god,at least we are seeing some developments in the island with all da hustle n bustle.lets get used to da new style of life fokes.cheers.

-0+2#High speed Driver2011-11-29 18:06

Our country most of the roads are very good for high speed driving. only problem drivers are care less/1st The driver should know his destination.and the turning points to reach the location. 2nd Educate them to keep the lane.3rd learn slow drivers to keep left.4th Bus halt and the pedestrian crossing to be set at least 50 to 100 meters Intervals.away.5th Colour light at katubedda junction functioned incorrect. Pedestrians and the vehicles are given green light at the same time.6.White single line on the straight roads more than a 1km In case of heavy vehicle moves in front the hundreds of small vehicles are followed in the same speed creating unnecessary traffic.as the traffic police are waiting to take the chance of this nature.7.Traffic police is waiting(Interior) to night till the motorists are crossing the double white line in the empty roads.To night in the interior roads motorist are capable of identify the vehicle coming from the opposite direction with the head lamps

-0+0#High speed Driver2011-11-29 18:09

.There are lot of common senses to use while driving/Al ways follow the mirrors and the signals.And the drivers also take care of the signals which they switch on to switch off the signal after use. Thanks Please comment on I like to listen from you Thanks.

-0+1#shihan2011-11-29 18:45

GUYS THAT IS UK.. EVEN UAE ALSO U CAN DRIVE UNTIL 100MPH NO PROBLEM VERY DIFFICULT TO GET DERIVING LICENCE OUR COUNTRY WANT TO FOLLOW HARD RULES GIVING DRIVING LICENCE... WHAT TO DO? OUR COUNTRY PEOPLE EDUCATION LEVEL IS VERY LAW...

-0+0#ramzeen2011-11-29 19:18

guys just to sum it up your comments - we need improve the standard of driving test and stop the bribery culture. These two things will help to buid our nation. Another one: Stop local competition, undercutting and back stabbing. Think outside the box try to compete internationally. Hope this will bring us up to speed soon.

-0+0#ijas2011-11-30 12:09

dnt trvl fast plz.................................

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