New legislations for drivers

6 May 2011 08:55 am - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Sandun A. Jaysekera

The Transport Ministry is to introduce tough legislations including increased prison terms and fines on drivers and compensation for victims of accidents, in an effort to stem ever increasing road accidents and resultant deaths and injuries, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said.

Minister Welgama told the media that road accidents are becoming an increasing social, economic and health issue with five to six deaths from around 150 road accidents occurring a day in Sri Lanka.

“A study has revealed that in the thirty year period from 1977 to 2007, over 40,000 people have died from road accidents, in addition to thousands of others being maimed and families of road accident victims becoming destitute. The loss consequent to these accidents is exceeding Rs. 100 billion”, he said.
Presidential advisor, Mano Wijeratne said a strategic approach on national level is necessary to bring down the incidences of road accidents as death from road accidents has become the number one killer of healthy people in Sri Lanka in the peace time.

Secretary, Transport Ministry, Dhammika Perera said around 75% accidents occur due to human errors and these accidents can be prevented by strict implementation of the traffic law. In addition road environment and vehicle factors are influencing traffic accidents, he said.

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Comments - 28

Just Another Citizen Friday, 06 May 2011 11:33 AM

Does that include drivers of convoys?

shamil Sunday, 08 May 2011 06:27 AM

this is only talk my friends

Epa Saturday, 07 May 2011 03:39 PM

when you drive in Srilanka you are the worst driver but in other countries you are the best.

Shaul Nizar Saturday, 07 May 2011 02:10 PM

Recently I read in the news paper that a lorry driver who knocked down a pedestrian at the zebra crossing at Mount Lavinia and while fleeing the scene of the accident crashed into the another vehicle injuring that driver was fined Rs 5000 equivalent to 50 USD. Is this the kind of message you want send to reckless drivers. This is travesty of justice.

Goka Saturday, 07 May 2011 01:08 PM

Biggest menace is reckless drivers. They do not keep to lanes, turn suddenly, stop way after the traffic light giveway line and many more. If traffice police was applying the same rule to all strictly this will not happen. Most culprits are private buses and three wheelers.

bash Saturday, 07 May 2011 07:14 AM

The biggest menace is back up vehicles and politicians and their families, then bus drivers..... lower percentage of others. The biggest menace gets away scot free, stop this first

bernard Friday, 06 May 2011 03:39 PM

No, Ministers won't be prosecuted. They are very busy working hard to make SL, 'Wonder of Asia' and it is the fault of innocent people who do not pay any attention to speeding Ministerial vehicles.

bernard Friday, 06 May 2011 03:29 PM

You are expecting miracles.

Gamini Friday, 06 May 2011 03:03 PM

Good move.

gamed77 Friday, 06 May 2011 02:37 PM

At laest SOMEONE has realized the importance of having proper road decipline in this country. We talk about the minority number of deaths due to Dengue, SRS, Swine flu etc in a big way. But nobody dares to control the killer on the road which claims more lives and limbs than the war ever did. Our health system takes the full brunt of these road maniacs. It is time strict road rules are brought into play.
Well done Minister. As a person who tales care of the victims , I am happy.

Nihal Friday, 06 May 2011 02:20 PM

Start with the traffic police officers.

Anil Friday, 06 May 2011 01:50 PM

Prevention is better than cure .. what is wrong with these law makers for god sake??

prkiruba Friday, 06 May 2011 01:29 PM

More income for the police

ranjith Friday, 06 May 2011 01:25 PM

Talking nonsense. only for us, Bullshit.

Ramesh Friday, 06 May 2011 09:11 AM

How about the Ministers and there security vehicles killing innocent people during accident? Will the Ministers too be prosecuted?

Vocha Friday, 06 May 2011 10:44 AM

Dan ithin 500/- deela shape wenna bari weyi. Traffic Police ayiyalaatanam santhosa athi.

ABC Friday, 06 May 2011 10:41 AM

Yes, Its a good move.

In SL rules are very soft and therefore drivers do not care much on rules. Minimum fine must increse to 10000 to 1LK range.

Knight Rider Friday, 06 May 2011 10:31 AM

how do you identify their cars when it does not even have proper number plate !

zorro Friday, 06 May 2011 10:32 AM

don't you remember that Rapists, Child abusers, and the Murderers from the ruling party were spoken free of guilt. This is SL democracy.

sd Friday, 06 May 2011 10:12 AM

Police will not look into politicians coz even they commit the same offence

lasantha Friday, 06 May 2011 09:59 AM

100% agree with ya mate

bundi thisa Friday, 06 May 2011 09:37 AM

I dont think tough legislations would reduce traffic accidents. ... I think thats why they call those, ACCIDENTS!!!!!!

Modaya Friday, 06 May 2011 09:53 AM

Good cut for police. Pay me some paga or else nadu thamai.

rocksan Friday, 06 May 2011 09:44 AM

Mr. Minister first try discipline your security goons. Then 3 Wheel and bus drivers

Travis Friday, 06 May 2011 09:47 AM

Yes. There can't be two separate laws, one for the so called VIPs and the other for the ordinary citizen for the same offence.

Mervin Perera Friday, 06 May 2011 09:43 AM

Then what about Road conditions

tharanga Friday, 06 May 2011 09:21 AM

traffic police should be reinforced by cutting edge technology to track down reckless drivers. present traffic police has no enough technology.

Ruwan Friday, 06 May 2011 09:16 AM

Police should ensure that the new laws are applicable to the politicians too!

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New legislations for drivers

Comments - 28

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