Motor Traffic Act to be updated

by Ranil Wijayapala and Manjula Fernando

The Government has decided to make principle changes in the 25 years old Motor Traffic Act on par with the latest international motor traffic laws, to reduce alarming traffic accidents, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday.

The Cabinet has given approval for the Cabinet memorandum presented by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, the Transport Minister, to amend the existing Motor Traffic Act to make drastic changes in traffic laws, the Minister added.

The new principle changes agreed by the Cabinet aims at making drastic changes in the issue of driving licences, revenue licences and transfer of vehicles, the Minister added.

"This will make provisions to make changes in the issue of driving licences by issuing driving licences as learner driver, driver under probation and fully qualified drivers," the Minister added.

Minister Siripala de Silva said the principle changes in the Motor Traffic Act aims at making provisions to prohibit the manufacture and import of vehicles which are illegal and also to prohibit the registration of vehicles with fictitious numbers.

This also aims at increasing traffic fines and punishments, the Minister added.

The Cabinet also has approved a cabinet memorandum submitted by President Kumaratunga for the creation of a Traffic Management Secretariat to reduce fuel consumption.

In addition the Cabinet also approved the Traffic Management Strategic Plan submitted by the President.