Disciplining three wheeler drivers

Dr Wimal WICKRAMASINGHE

There is no doubt that the three-wheeler is a common man’s vehicle that serves the length and the breadth of the country. It goes into the most difficult areas of the country where public transport is simply not available, catering to the needs of the common people whose only hope is the three-wheeler in the times of need.

Though the hiring charges of the three-wheeler have been on the increase due to increase of prices of fuel, the ordinary citizens’ desperate need at any time of the day is the three-wheeler.

Three-wheeler vehicles are considered as a menace to safe road traffic. There are many factors that contribute to reckless driving of three-wheelers:

(a) some driving without licence and insurance.

(b) some drivers are under age.

(c) many drivers do not know or show callous regard to traffic discipline

(d) they drive on all parts of the road, not caring for lane discipline.

(e) they do not care for traffic lights and other traffic signals.

(f) they sometimes overload the vehicle though the number of passengers is restricted to three.

(g) they cut through other vehicles dangerously, so it is up to the other motorists to avoid accidents.

(h) they join the junctions at traffic lights overtaking all other vehicles that follow the line, sometimes making traffic congestion.

(i) they never accept any culpability in driving

(j) they resort to abusive language when their illegal driving is questioned.

(k) they even set upon other motorists soliciting the support of other three-wheeler drivers who come in convoy.

(l) most of them do not care for zebra crossings.

(m) they park at unauthorised places.

(n) they abuse other motorists, together with the passengers in the three-wheelers, if cutting across near the traffic lights is not allowed.

(o) some of them do not respect traffic constables as the latter are patronised by them.

(p) they insist upon huge compensation even if the damage to their vehicles is due to their illegal driving.

(q) some of them charge exorbitant prices not in consonance of the distance and because of the non-use of traffic metres.

(r) some of them use radios and cassettes in a cacophonous sound that results in diversion of attention of the other motorists.

(s) they do not allow new three-wheelers enter into foray at their places of origin.

(t) their reckless driving has caused a lot of accidents, including deaths.

(u) though three-wheelers are small in size, they take more than half the road.

(v) some of them do not allow other vehicles to overtake them.

(w) they just stop anywhere on the road all of a sudden to carry passengers, causing disturbance and traffic congestion.

(x) some of them get involved in the transportation of illicit drugs and liquor and also become facilitator for causing crimes by others.

(y) there is no way in finding fault with them which they desist in the most indecent manner.

(z) some of them do not give the balance money as some bus conductors. Passengers who are in a hurry to go become the victims of it.

The reader will find that the numbering according to English alphabet is also exhausted when enumerating their shortcomings. Many other examples can also be cited.

The present writer is perplexed to know why the Traffic Police most often condone traffic violations of the three-wheeler drivers.

Maybe the stipends they get from them are meagre as bribes. Or, they may try to get bigger sharks into their net, still leaving the high-notch out.

This sorry state of affairs cannot be allowed to go on unabated. Deterrent punishments should be meted out to them by both Police and Courts.

The Inspector General of Police should instruct Deputy Inspector of Police (Traffic) (a) to warn such errant motorists, including the three-wheeler drivers, at press interviews and press releases, and (b) to send strictures to all OICs of police stations if the police personnel coming under them fail to enforce the law to the letter as far as traffic discipline is concerned.

Knowing the menace of three-wheeler driving, some countries, for example, Singapore, do not allow three-wheelers to ply on the road. Even in India, three-wheelers are not allowed to ply within the city limits of Mumbai.

This cannot be done in Sri Lanka although three-wheelers are a hazard to safe driving and a cause for traffic congestion in Colombo as (a) our public transportation system is unsatisfactory and (b) bye-roads in Colombo are not serviced by omnibuses.

There is also no provision of hiring motor vehicles at cheaper price as in India - which are only meant for the tourists and the affluent.

Above all, three-wheeler drivers are a powerful lot in the eyes of politics and therefore, politicians would not dare to oust them from the Colombo city limits. Even the attempt at installation of taxi metres with defined prices has become a flop.

It seems that three-wheeler drivers are more powerful than law-makers.

Despite all these snags and shortcomings, the law-abiding citizens demand strict discipline in driving which the Police cannot ignore.

Strict enforcement of the law in all spheres is a sine qua non and that includes traffic discipline.

Over to you Inspector General of Police!