Since the first recorded accident ever in Ohio in 1891 involving one James William Lambert, accidents related to automobile industry have come a long way. Drivers, Pedestrians, Bystanders are being involved with motor accidents in a large amount all over the world.
In Sri Lanka, there are more vehicles than that can be handled by the road network and that causes a large increase of the vehicular accidents. While some of them are minor, but there are reports of fatal accidents on a large scale.
As a developing country, most Sri Lankans have to use vehicles older than 5 years or more due to the high value of the vehicles in the market. This factor also plays a major role in accidents in Sri Lanka. For example, if a person has only 2million LKR to spend on a vehicle, the available options are very limited such as old Mitsubishi lancers, Nissan sunnys, Toyota corollas etc. people in Sri Lanka have to buy such older vehicles as the other options in the market would be Maruti Suzuki, Alto, Kwid; vehicles which does not have any safety ratings whatsoever. Considering that and the resale value, people always tend to go for an older model of Japanese Vehicles. Comparing to other options they have, these cars seems like a better choice but safety wise they are still at a risk during unavoidable situations of danger. Mechanical and Electrical problems due to depreciation through time plays a major role in vehicle accidents.
Another major factor weighing in for the increase of vehicle accidents in Sri Lanka is driving under the influence of Alcohol or mind altering substances. Due to which many fatal accidents had taken place and still is. Rates of accidents during holidays is at a high level. Especially in urban areas which results in innocent people being victims.
Reckless driving is another factor. A considerable amount of Sri Lankan drivers tend to drive manner less avoiding following lane rules, disobeying traffic lights, giving into impatience during rush hours, and driving in high speed cause a major impact on road accidents.
Road Conditions, Weather Factors such as slippery roads due to rain, sudden mud slides, bad carpets on the road, and potholes on the roads also have a major role in accidents related to vehicles simply, accidents can take place even without a fault of a driver or a car.
Year by year the rate of accidents on roads only increases not slightly but in a larger scale. As a nation it is a must to make sure that at some point, to work towards reducing the rate of accidents.To do so, I believe, the government should take necessary wise actions, where the present traffic law should be updated according to international regulations. And appoint just officers to ensure people follow the rules. Fines for roadside activities should be increased and tightened.
Focusing on developing the road system in Sri Lanka up to international standards by the government can facilitate road discipline and contribute to road safety as well. Roads in some areas are subjected to heavy damage that it makes walking an unpleasant experience as well. Widening of the roads in every major district, such as Colombo and Gampaha and the development of the Outer Circular Way, Inner Sky Way also contribute towards better transportation amidst traffic and road safety. Having highways joining major cities is not suitable when the roads leading in and out of those cities are not capable of keeping the vehicle flow moving.
As a country we need to strive for the development of better public transportation systems such as Central Rail Systems, Metro Rails, Subway Systems in Sri Lanka, as the use of the above will cause a reduction in the vehicle amount on roads on a daily basis. Government should focus on removing the Private Bus Mafia on Sri Lankan roads and use Sri Lanka Transportation Board’s Buses more as the city wide transportation system while well maintained Train systems can handle an island wide public transportation system.
Development of regional airports contributes to make transportation convenient all around the country as well.
Traffic lights on the roads should be effective and up and running and controlled by a computerized central system, city wise all the time. Avoiding the interference of police officers with traffic lights unless it is an emergency can contribute to traffic on the roads of Sri Lanka as well. School system should start educating students about road laws and vehicular safety from an early stage. Government should consider reducing the tax for vehicles allowing people to use newer vehicles to avoid accidents caused by the faults of cars and avoid importing vehicles without international safety ratings.
While those are a few things that the government should be concerned when it comes to road safety, as the general public, as the younger generation of Sri Lanka we have our duties to ensure that the road is safe for everyone who uses it.
Every driver, passenger and pedestrian should be law abiding than just being careful enough to avoid fines. And it is also important for drivers to learn to control road rage every time they are driving. Honking should be reduced as it creates unnecessary panicking during traffic or difficult situations on the road and directly contributes top sound pollution. Drivers, passengers and pedestrians should be open to help each other at all the times and have a mutual understanding that the road belongs to everyone and not just one.
Drunk driving, unnecessary speeding, road races should be avoided by everyone to ensure safety of themselves and others as well. And drivers need to be well aware of the vehicles they drive and passengers about their drivers.
Let’s make the road a calm and an easy place to drive starting from respecting each other.
Rtr. Roshana Seneviratne
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