Accidents involving SLTB drivers on decline

Irangika RANGE

Sri Lanka Transport Board drivers involvement in road accidents had shown a decrease due to training programs that led to increase their productivity and awareness of road safety.

Transport Deputy Minister Rohana Kumara Dissanayake said it is reported that SLTB drivers were responsible for only four road accidents per 1,000,000 kilometres in 2009 which was six accidents in the previous year (2008).

The Minister said a number of fruitful measures taken by the SLTB to make aware bus drivers resulted in reducing road accidents for the past few years. The SLTB drivers are operating their buses following proper timetables given recently and proper bus maintenance by bus depots had contributed immensely for this decrease. "The unnecessary rush among the bus drivers to complete their journeys has been totally avoided due to introduction of this timetable system to the SLTB," he explained.

He said that private bus drivers should also follow this system which will lead to ease road accidents.

"We have planned to further decrease road accidents involving SLTB bus drivers this year by conducting the training programs on road safety," he said. In addition, measures will be taken to grant special incentives for the best SLTB drivers who operate their buses preventing road accidents.