Motor traffic law vs people’s hardship

So much of despondency has been expressed by countless number of people time and again in the press and on TV in this country to highlight the chaotic conditions on our public highways, road indiscipline, dark streets, lethargy or the ineffective law enforcing authorities. Despite all such lamenting, it is apparent that nothing concrete seems to take effect (at least visually). Metaphorically speaking it has become like Beeri Alinta Veena Gahanna wage (playing violins to deaf elephants)!

Although I confessed to myself to turn a Nelsonian eye on the subject (in frustration on a par with millions of others), e-mail feedback I received inspired me to have a bash at it again.

Ronald Boon (New Zelander) resident in Sri Lanka had to say this:

“I read your article today about driving in Sri Lanka and fully agree with you. I am a foreigner living here since November 2009 and I am really fed up with the driving style in this country! Although this is a beautiful country, it will be pleasant if you can reach your destination in safety without having to hold your breath all the time when you are driving, especially when buses come towards you at full speed on the wrong side of the road and from behind straight at you sounding ear splitting horns! These drivers transport children, old folk, pregnant women and even infants as passengers and how foolishly they risk the lives of many commuters because of their impatience and driving at break neck speeds”.

“Every time I embark on a road journey I am petrified because of these impatient selfish and careless bus drivers who have no regard at all for other road users or passengers. It is pathetic to see passengers squeezed in like sardines just to earn an extra buck. I cannot really understand how women can travel in those buses in such situations”!

“Another thing that send shivers down my spine is to see whole families - two adults and two children- riding on motorbikes (at times parents wearing helmets but the children). May be their social conditions compel them to adapt to such illegal and dangerous maneuvers on the road. Why is Traffic Police turning a blind eye to this type of blatant violation of the Law?”

Motor Traffic Act

I chuckled while reading what P W S Johnston (Trincomalee) recently put forward to the Professional Advice team in the Daily News on the subject of using Mopeds less than 49 cc. Johnston has been riding a TVS 49cc category moped without holding a valid driving licence, helmet or registration certificate for his vehicle which he said was due to a “concession allowed by the Motor Traffic Act for users less than 50 cc”.

He seemed shocked to learn that “the existed Motor Traffic Act has been amended in 2009 showing two categories of motor cycles - from 100 cc upwards and below making it compulsory for all motorcycles (even 25 cc or 20 cc that will enter the market in the future) to be registered, revenue licence obtained, insured and helmet wearing compulsory. Although it has become mandatory from 2009, violators of the Traffic Law are still abundant on our roads where the law enforcement authority does not take any notice of. The fact that 99 percent of motorcycle riders are wet behind the ears about the motor traffic law does not seem to concern the law enforcement authorities. It’s a tragedy.

There is nothing more serious than making the petrol tank of a motor bike as a seat for little children to ride on, while mother and another child sit on the pillion (at times even infants being held by the mother) and the rider oblivious to his responsibility keeps on cutting in and out and squeezing through traffic jams like cockroaches in haste risking the lives of the whole family.

Small children seated on the pillion at times fall asleep due to the gush of wind on their faces. How many times the public have yelled at some riders to warn about such dangers? The worst is when law enforcement Police officers themselves blatantly break the law in high and mighty fashion! Where does the Law fit in here? Does human need be given preference over protection of human lives? Should the laws of the country be allowed to be taken lightly and make a mockery of the whole issue? Why do we need laws?

Human nature

It is very unfortunate that piles of our regulations are confined to statute books only and today no one seems to be seriously thinking about it, which is a shame. Can we put this down to lethargy or the incompetence on the part of those responsible for implementing the Law?

Law and Order generally is the collection of rules imposed by an authority to suit a particular society. In general, it is a code of practice which is required to implement and enforce by an authority according to which an agent or a power acts.

Law can be classified into many areas. It is also defined as a rule or body of rules of conduct inherent in human nature and essential to or binding upon human society.

Otherwise we can scrap the lot saying its ‘crap’ and go back to the jungle law!

However, hats off to the Kandy Police who are seen to deal with one problem - jaywalkers - This is a systematic manner to educate the public which other Police areas should emulate.

Imposing heavy fines on jaywalkers may sound harsh but there is nothing like administering bitter medicine to a chronic disease.

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