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Tuesday, 30 March 2010

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Imperatives of road safety

One of the perils of modern life is deaths on the road. The higher the density of vehicles on the road, the higher the speed with which they are driven and the more the number of care-free drivers, riders and jay-walkers the higher the number of road accidents.

The World Health Organisation has forecast that road accidents would become the third highest threat to public health by the year 2020. If present trends continue uninterruptedly this may become true for Sri Lanka within the next decade.

At present there are over 2,000 deaths per year due to road accidents. The National Hospital, Colombo says that one-fourth or 25 percent of the patients admitted daily are victims of road accidents.

Pedestrians account for over 45 percent of such victims. Pedestrians, cyclists and motor cyclists account for nearly 80 percent of the victims.

Several factors are responsible for the extremely large number of accidents. Faulty road construction, dilapidated roads, neglect of road rules including fast driving and the use of un-roadworthy vehicles are some of them.

It is necessary to improve on the road safety policies, rules and regulations to suit the present day. Awareness campaigns on safe use of roads would also go a long way in reducing the number of accidents. Better monitoring of traffic violations and rehabilitating errant drivers and riders are other necessities. Emergency assistance for road accident victims should be made available for much depends on the time factor in saving the lives of victims.

Strict specifications should be laid down for road engineering from the design stage with a view to reducing the number of accidents. The ugly practice of ripping the prepared roads for pipe-laying by various agencies should be stopped. Instead special space should be left on the outer edges of roads to lay pipes, cables and other such necessary equipment. Dangerous lamp posts in the road edges or even in the road centres should be removed.

As the statistics showed pedestrians are the most endangered of the road users. It is necessary to increase the number of zebra crossings for their convenience. More overhead bridges and subways should be built for pedestrians to cross busy roads, especially at road intersections. Cyclists, motor cyclists and three-wheelers should be provided with special lanes so that they do not obstruct other fast moving vehicular traffic.

The increase of road accidents has also become an economic burden. As our yesterday’s issue reported accidents cause an estimated loss of Rs 15 billion per year to the national economy. This is an amount higher than the total allocation for Samurdhi beneficiaries.

Besides, the loss due to deaths and permanent disabilities could not be counted in monetary terms.

Hence, the new Government that would be formed after the elections will have to give priority to taking steps to halt the trend of increasing accidents, workout a comprehensive road safety policy and implement it with vigour. The objective of such a policy would be to ensure safer drivers, safer vehicles and safer road infrastructure. Further, a mandatory periodic road safety audits should be a part of such a policy and action plan. In certain countries there are dedicated agencies such as Road Safety Boards and Road Safety Secretariats to ensure road safety. An information data base on road accidents and their management is also a vital need. It is necessary to harness support from the private sector and community organisations in implementing such a policy.

Akon affair

The Government has denied a visa for American pop singer Akon to visit the country for a concert. This was a sequel to concerns raised by various quarters regarding overt anti-Buddhist sentiments of the singer or his past record of ignoring the religious susceptibilities of the Buddhists during his performances.

While this is understandable what is surprising is that neither the organisers nor the sponsors had thought it fit to examine this aspect of the singer’s activities before organising the event. Had they looked into it prior to sending him an invitation, the unpleasantness of refusing a visa would not have arisen.

The fact that a government organisation such as the Tourist Board and an institution linked to it failed to take cognizance of the religious susceptibilities of the people does not augur well since tourism is an area which if not handled diligently and vigilantly could lead to cultural invasions that could harm indigenous culture and civilization.

People have faith in UPFA - Minister Rohana Kumara Dissanayake

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has given proper leadership to the people and the country faces a development boom. The country has made rapid progress in many fields. The UPFA is focusing on material and spiritual development through the Mathata Thitha program.

Full Story

Is there a new secret pact with TNA separatists?

“The United National Party Government toppled a Government of common people by the power of money, by thuggery, and through conspiracies. It is important to find out what they did and did not do. Ranil Wickremesinghe forgot all election promises he made before coming to power. He rightly fulfilled the promise given to Prabhakaran to handover the powers in the North and East.

Full Story

Hard choice between Ranil and Democracy!

The main campaign theme of the United National Party during the current election is 'lack of democracy in the country' and hence they appeal in earnest to the polity to vote UNP to save the country from what they called 'totalitarianism'. Well, in a two party democracy the Opposition, which is the alternative Government, is equally responsible for the maintenance of democracy and it is the strength of the Opposition that determines the level of democracy in the country.

Full Story

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