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Last Updated : 2024-05-21 10:31:00
30 January 2024 05:59 pm - 55 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Colombo, Jan. 30 (Daily Mirror)- Steps are being taken to impose a minimum speed limit on expressways as accidents are caused due to slow-moving vehicles, Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today.
He told the weekly Cabinet briefing that even though the maximum speed limit is imposed as 100 kmph, no minimum speed has been imposed yet.
He said most accidents are caused when overtaking slow moving vehicles and it is important to set a minimum speed limit to prevent such accidents.
The Minister said a discussion was held with experts in the field and relevant institutions such as the police regarding the accidents on expressways and that new rules and regulations will be published in a gazette notification within two weeks.
Roy Berman Tuesday, 30 January 2024 06:10 PM
40 kmph speed limit
Mahila Tuesday, 30 January 2024 11:38 PM
80 KMPH minimum speed - This should be in the DMV rule Book AND a condition of the License issued to every Individual to ensure he/she adheres at all times when accessing and driving on MOTORWAYS!? Medamulana Walauwe is "driven", not drive themselves in Sri Lanka!!?? Chauffer driven elite, not knowing is NO SURPISE!!! Therefore not incorporated – E01 was declared open!!? Well, be happy they didn’t allow Bullock Carts and Horse Drawn carriages!! We would have been ‘Murdering’ HORSES and ‘Sacred BULLOCKS’ instead of Humans!!! Theruwan Saranai!!??
Gordon Ramsay Wednesday, 31 January 2024 01:32 AM
Idiotic Minister. You are imposing this because one drunkard MP got killed. There should be a high speed lane and low speed lanes with different limits . Otherwise the next accident will be when large trailers topple or crash against smaller vehicles. Also ensure the roads are lit properly.
Minister’s SUV was Speeding Excessively Wednesday, 31 January 2024 10:52 AM
With only 2 lanes, how much speed limits can you place? The minister’s car was definitely speeding excessively. Even if the trailer was at 70kmph
Sumo Saturday, 03 February 2024 03:32 PM
Who is tthe silly billy here then Gordon my a.. You do not have different speed lanes on motorways/expressways. you have minimum and maximum speeds. In some depending on technology variable speeds to deter speeding. get yourb facts right, small vehicles. large vehicles toppling? what tosh is that? These roads are lit atn strategic points not all lover.
Saman Tuesday, 30 January 2024 06:24 PM
In developed countries there is no minimum speed limit on motorways. They have maximum speed limits, this was exceeded and was the cause in the recent fatal accident of the minister, How foolish can we be?
Sena Wednesday, 31 January 2024 02:47 AM
@Saman, though they only sign-post max. speed limits, if you are travelling slower than the speed limit you become a danger to other motorists. You can get pulled over and given a ticket.
wickrama wijayasiri Wednesday, 31 January 2024 06:27 AM
Please talk about things you know of. The minimum speed is decided by the police officer or Sheriff issuing the ticket, as the reasonable speed for the road, weather, and traffic conditions.
SujMan Wednesday, 31 January 2024 12:06 PM
Minimum speed is not required is countries like Germany, Australia and UK because drivers are disciplined. We only have two lane highway. One driver will go at 40kmph and disrupt the entire road, thereby causing accidents. Please impose this law. The others can travel on the normal road route.
SujMan Wednesday, 31 January 2024 12:06 PM
Minimum speed is not required is countries like Germany, Australia and UK because drivers are disciplined. We only have two lane highway. One driver will go at 40kmph and disrupt the entire road, thereby causing accidents. Please impose this law. The others can travel on the normal road route.
SujMan Wednesday, 31 January 2024 12:06 PM
Minimum speed is not required is countries like Germany, Australia and UK because drivers are disciplined. We only have two lane highway. One driver will go at 40kmph and disrupt the entire road, thereby causing accidents. Please impose this law. The others can travel on the normal road route.
Dee Tuesday, 30 January 2024 06:36 PM
Everything takes so long to be implemented in this country. Especially good regulations.
lion Wednesday, 31 January 2024 05:15 AM
Even it is implemented it has no effect on the ruling party politicians since they stand above law. So to get proper results of implementation is to change the political system which is prevailing in the country up to now since independence
Siripala Tuesday, 30 January 2024 06:40 PM
This would have done from the outset.
Cloy Tuesday, 30 January 2024 07:06 PM
Good move. Some idiotic drivers dont give a damn to left lane driving, speed etc in the highway. There should be some ways to tackle them.
Sambo Tuesday, 30 January 2024 07:10 PM
Will you deploy CCTV camera to detect slow and speeding drivers. Remember the majority of this country are uneducated and does not adhere to the laws.
Mani Tuesday, 30 January 2024 07:18 PM
Again, they are not dealing with the issue correctly. The issue is being ignorant of the 1st rule of the highway code - which is to drive on the left side of the road, unless you are overtaking a vehicle. Sri Lanka traffic Police too never look out for drivers breaching it, as much as they look out for not worn seat belts, helmets etc. Not only on expressways, accidents have been always happening on normal roads as well when vehicles have to overtake slow moving vehicles that are driven on the right side lane.
DOT Tuesday, 30 January 2024 07:31 PM
Why Not other roads too?
D P P Prasad Tuesday, 30 January 2024 07:39 PM
This minister is always talking bullshits. Thus express ways are constructed to make the transportation easy and expeditious. Certain vehicles which are moving in the express ways are not in even running conditions. Such vehicles cannot move fast due to the various technical issues. Further the importation of either brand new or reconditioned are totally banned since year 2019 Therefore we want to ascertain as to how he decides the minimum speed limit
Amaran Tuesday, 30 January 2024 07:59 PM
What about MAXIMUM SPEED?
Citizen silva Tuesday, 30 January 2024 08:05 PM
Does that apply to the 225 who think they are above the law. Should apply also to the President
RuwanL Tuesday, 30 January 2024 08:32 PM
Sad to note that the stupid minister has failed to understand the real cause of the accident! Its because of speading! The vehicle was going at a speed of over 160 kmph on a max speed of not over 100 kmph highway. First control the speed of vehicles before looking at slow moving vehicles. I have noticed when i go at 100 kmph on highway and overtaking a vehicle there are vehicles that come from behind and start flashing! They also ignore the minimum distance between vehicles! Discipline is the key to reduce accidents?
Mahila Tuesday, 30 January 2024 11:52 PM
Ruwan, well said and absolutely TRUE!!?? Importantly Overtaking a Vehicle should be through the RHS Lane!! Not the LHS and definitely not the "RESERVE/EMERGENCY LANE", which varies in width, depending on the contour of the road!!!???
Spartacus Tuesday, 30 January 2024 08:39 PM
Excellent move. It should be minimum 50kmph for a maximum speed zone of 100kmph. There are vehicles crawling at 30kmph and even doing there watsap messages. Some are going slow bringing all there family discussions inside the car. These are like monkey type people given highways.
Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 30 January 2024 08:59 PM
But the recent accident did occur due to excessive speed at 160kmph. Is that acceptable? Minimum should be 70. All heavy vehicles should only be allowed on the far left labe and no overtaking should be allowed for such vehicles. The speed limit for heavy vehicles should be 80. Anyone above 105 should be fined progressively I.e 105 to 115 , 116 to 125, 126 and above. Anyone driving at 140 or above should have their Driving License suspended for a month and vehicles impounded for a month. To clear the vehicle they should pay speed fine as well as the towing charges. But none if these would become applicable fir the usual offenders who are politicians.
Kumar Tuesday, 30 January 2024 09:16 PM
There were many similar accidents on expressways before, and nothing happened. But after a politician met with an accident there , they're taking serious actions one after another. Lesson; If govt not listening to your problem, give hardest time straight to the politicians rather than stupid useless protest every day in front of the Fort station.
Alan Griffin Tuesday, 30 January 2024 10:01 PM
I completely agree with the minimum speed limit on the highways. I would also fine all mobility vehicle operators, I mean all, be them 1, 2, 3, 4 and multiple wheeled drivers for not having operational lights on all roads, front and essentially rear lights, these can be easy checked and the bulb replaced very cheaply thus increasing the road safety for all. We love Sri Lanka and look forward to returning in March 24 after over 19 Years of visiting.
Sammy Tuesday, 30 January 2024 10:04 PM
Was not the vehicle which killed a politician recently, overspeeding at 160 kmph as per reports?
Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 30 January 2024 10:38 PM
Yes, as per them , they have to save time for serving people. Thst is why they drive fast and everyone else should go to a side for them pass. We do this in the place where we live when we see an ambulance or fire truck with lights.
Mahila Tuesday, 30 January 2024 11:42 PM
AND OVERTAKING ON THE WRONGSIDE (LHS) OF THE VEHICLE BEING OVERTAKEN!!?? Exemplary "Sri Lankan Style DEFENSIVE DRIVING" on display!!??
Citizen silva Tuesday, 30 January 2024 10:52 PM
Another bungle by the idiot. There is nothing calling minimum speed limit on a highway or freeway. It is called maximum speed limit. At least now learn
Aquarius Tuesday, 30 January 2024 10:53 PM
Locals and foreigners have died on our highways due to accidents. It takes a politician's death for this man to open his mouth. Speeding and undisciplined drivers are the main cause of accidents on all roads across the country. Minimum speed limit is not the solution although can be useful.
Piyumi Tuesday, 30 January 2024 11:07 PM
The biggest mistake on highway is, moving on to the left lane soon after overtaking without judging a safe distance. When overtaking, drive forward until you get to see the vehicle on the left lane, from your left side mirror.
Kumar Tuesday, 30 January 2024 11:42 PM
Minimum speed limit? What you need is maximum speed limit and that limit should not be exceeded. Always, our politicians got the wrong end of the stick, they can't even fix this properly.
Jamis Wednesday, 31 January 2024 02:25 AM
As usual, everyone and their dog has an opinion. The government should do something that is evidence based. I live abroad and rarely drive in SL. The thing that I see as most troubling is that people do not stick to lanes. They straddle lanes. Frankly that is hideous! That is the most dangerous thing when driving at high speeds. People drive at over 200km/hr on autobahns in Germany and accidents are very rare. In Canada, speed limit increase from 100 to 110 is being considered because it is thought to be safer at the higher speed. Speed is not the problem, but other factors. Minimum speed is known to be very important here where I live, but I have no idea how that will work in SL. The biggest problem is the drivers themselves.; their skills, their attitudes, their habits, their behaviors. Have CCTV and enforce the rules strictly. The results will be VERY quick. But not sure whether it can be done because the politicians and cops themselves are uncivilized in SL.
BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 31 January 2024 05:17 PM
Absolutely true, you just said it all about Cops and Ministers.
Neil Wednesday, 31 January 2024 02:25 AM
We need more container trucks on roads around the parliament.
TinTin Bandu Wednesday, 31 January 2024 05:55 AM
Remove all closed (unused) toll collection points. Maximum: 120 rightmost track, minimum 60 left track. demark tracks. Vehicles must always use signal lights when changing the track.
KD Wednesday, 31 January 2024 05:58 AM
All vehicles traveling on highways with a posted speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour must maintain a minimum speed of 80 kilometers per hour under normal traffic and weather conditions. Failure to adhere to this minimum speed limit, unless due to unavoidable circumstances such as adverse weather or vehicle malfunction, may result in a traffic violation.
Dayantha Jayarathna Wednesday, 31 January 2024 06:23 AM
This looks like an effort to find an excuse for the horrible accident the State Minister met with. It is clear that the main reason for that death is not adhering to safely rules applicable to any passenger, not only for highways, but also for all roads. Speeding, reckless driving, not wearing seat belts are un deniably the reasons for the fatalities. It looks like the minister is trying to blame the vehicle went in front for not travelling fast. This is ridiculous. Having said that, there is an expectation for the drivers to travel at a reasonable speed on highways. But enforcing a rule or a law has to be done with lot of care. We have to allow for cases where the vehicles carrying heavy loads, ambulances or occasionally with some problems to travel at a lower speed. The best thing do is to issue a paneity or a surcharge at the exit if they have spent unusually longer time to complete the journey.
Terrence K Wednesday, 31 January 2024 06:32 AM
Your assessment is wrong it is not because of the slow moving vehicles the recent accidents took place it is because of excessive speed of the overtaking vehicles. Also when containers ply on the highways they should have a proper lighting system in the rear, sideways and in the front and top which could help visibility of other vehicles coming from behind especially at the breaking of dawn. When vehicles overtaking containers and large vehicles the manouvering is difficult as the vehicles have to cover the whole length of the containers and with the containers tendency of wobbling especially at bends could result in disaster!!!!!!!!!
Demise of Soviet Union Wednesday, 31 January 2024 06:57 AM
This nation is not meant for irresponsible politicians only. Tomorrow if another politician has an accident on the highway due to reckless driving, will you close all highways? Former USSR had road rule, where card holding party members had one lane of the road exclusively for them.
Roger Halliday Wednesday, 31 January 2024 07:13 AM
Bandula pls fine the driver for exceeding the speed limit. It's pretty obvious that one should drive at a minimum of 70 kmph on the left lane. All you jokers put rules but never keep to the rules
Lawry Wednesday, 31 January 2024 07:42 AM
Very strange that this was not thought of before. There definitely is a lane for slow moving vehicles already. Lack if guidance, ignorant and disrespect for rules is the cause for accidents. No one drives at 30km on the highway. Engine trouble can occur while driving. Provision is there for that.
Sokrates Wednesday, 31 January 2024 08:09 AM
@ Saman. That's not quite true. Although there is no minimum speed, in Germany only vehicles that CAN drive at least 60 km/h are allowed on the motorway.
AJ Wednesday, 31 January 2024 08:18 AM
The recent accidents happened due to excess speed and not slow speed. As example, the ministered vehicle was tavelling in excess of 150Km per hour (spedometer broke over 140Km due to accident impact). Shouldn't legal action be taken against the ministered driver for this?
Kalu Wednesday, 31 January 2024 08:18 AM
These are not accidents. These are caused by idiot drivers who flout the law. If this stupid driver didn't see a container vehicle in front of him, he must have been blind or blind drunk.
Ronnie Wednesday, 31 January 2024 08:25 AM
Make things easy educate the drivers how to drive in Roads .express ways teach them basics overtaking use left unless overtaking use blinkers keep distance heavy vheicles speed limits Right lane use only for overtaking reduce speed when wet.bends and bad visibility do not exceed speed limits cancellation of license 20km over limits but advice and educate the drivers first some drivers are terrible...got no common sense
Dissanayake Wednesday, 31 January 2024 09:36 AM
what a joke how can you monitor this ? also one of them needs to die for this to be implemented? the 100kmph speed limit is not sufficient for overtaking it needs to be 120kmph at least on southern expressway. Do ministers travel at max speed on the highway clearly not from Sanath Nishantha's accident.
Jega Wednesday, 31 January 2024 10:26 AM
The issues is not the slow speed on the left lane. Slow speed on the right lane is the issue. On the left lane you can drive at any low speed. The speeding vehicles can overtake them easily. The real issues are high speed of overtaking vehicles and police not catching the people who drive at high speed. Why don't you fix cameras and punish the culprits on the highways as early as possible to solve this issue once and for all?
Waco Wednesday, 31 January 2024 10:33 AM
Idiotic Minister, problem was not the speed limit. Those idiotic Ministers and do not care to hoots for the speed limit. Police is helpless. Discipline your Ministers and MPs. Let police do their job.
Dexter Wednesday, 31 January 2024 11:09 AM
First fix the street lights.
Gonston Wednesday, 31 January 2024 05:53 PM
This minister usually says the most outrageous things and at a glance, I though he would say, all vehicles must go at a maximum speed of 50km/h other than for the ministers who are hard-working and must drive from one wedding to another at 200km/h
Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 31 January 2024 07:45 PM
If you want to make the highway safe, there should be multiple actions implemented. 1. Speedlimits, min and maximum 2. Speed monitoring through radars 3. Monitoring driving behaviour such as tail gating, not following the lane, slowing or stopping, heavy vehicles using the right lane all the time. 4. Progressive fine system But politicians who are the majority of offenders will escape these laws but not the laws of nature which will punish them by death.
Faiz Omar Wednesday, 31 January 2024 08:12 PM
Oh our politicians in parliament dont get it, they cannot even analyze a problem before jumping to conclusion. Slow drivers did not kill Sanath nishantha, it was his own driver in a land cruiser travelling at 200kmph. Why have we voted for these fools, they are totally incompetent to make policy decisions. They should first study international road and highway rules, and train our Training schools to impart knowledge on motorists. Does the motor department's theory test include question relating to highway rules and discipline??? Its time the task of formulating rules is given to pvt individuals/ organizations who will do a wonderful job and not wait till people die to make changes.
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