SLTB special accident investigation unit launched

Irangika Range

A special accident investigation unit and a driver training school have been set up at the Sri Lanka Transport Board's(SLTB)head office in Narahenpita to educate and train SLTB drivers on road safety, minimizing the road traffic accidents while providing an efficient and quality transport service to the public.

The number of road accidents due to poor driving skills had rapidly increased and a new plan to minimise this situation, has been initiated, Transport Deputy Minister Rohana Kumara Dissanayake said. The purpose of the special investigation unit is to improve transport safety and find the cause or causes for accidents.

Deputy Minister 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).

"We hope to increase productivity at all bus depots from the Depot Manager to workers at the lower level including the driver and conductor.

A road safety programme for SLTB drivers will be initiated to reduce the number of accidents involving SLTB buses.

He said a mechanism with 10 guidelines and lists of instructions have already been formulated to educate SLTB drivers and conductors on preventing road accidents.

He said that private bus drivers should also follow this system which will help reduce the number of road accidents.

Accordingly, accident prevention committee which are to be set up will meet once a month to review the number of road accidents occurring in the respective month.