56% accidents on expressways caused by driver negligence: Minister

3 April 2024 09:36 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 21

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, April 3 (Daily Mirror) -The report from the committee assigned to investigate into State Minister Sanath Nishantha's recent accident on the Katunayake Expressway shows that 56 per cent of accidents on the expressway are caused by driver negligence.

During his speech at an event organized for the official launch of the School Road Safety Club at the Ministry, Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana remarked that since the implementation of the expressway system in the country, a rapid transportation network has been established. However, the unfortunate reality is that a significant number of fatalities are reported every year as a consequence.

Following the recent accident of State Minister Sanath Nishantha on the Katunayake Expressway, several committees have been appointed by the Transport Ministry to investigate into the incident.

According to the report, many facts were mentioned under the category of 'driver negligence', such as driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol, driving at high speed, not maintaining the required distance between two vehicles, attempting to overtake other vehicles, and engaging in telephone conversations while driving.

Nine per cent of accidents are caused by defects in the vehicle. Most of the defects in the vehicle are caused by certain issues with the tyres, such as bursts and using inappropriate tyres to drive on expressways.

According to the report, 33 per cent of accidents are caused by other reasons, such as changing weather patterns, heavy rains, and skidding.

According to this report, some remedies to be taken should be discussed with the police and the relevant departments before this year's festive season, and the measures that are suitable for the short term and long term are to be followed.

Pix by Nisal Baduge

Comments - 21

Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 03 April 2024 10:01 PM

100% is driver negligence, if it rains then the driver should reduce speed, if skidding, driver should have ensured the Tire conditions and adjusted driving speed. It is the uncivilised mentality that everyone wants to overtake others.

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Correct Judgement and Common Sense Crucial Thursday, 04 April 2024 05:46 AM

If the vehicle in front of you is driving slower than the legal limit, naturally overtaking is the option correct? The issue is using correct judgment and common sense is vital. Plus ensuring the vehicle is road worthy and necessary servicing done regularly. Defensive driving should also be added during the learning phase before obtaining the license.

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Driving indtructor Wednesday, 03 April 2024 11:35 PM

Negligent drivers license should be cancelled for five years. At the end of the fifth year they should undergo fresh driving test, if passed, license given. Unless such conditions are introduced one cannot develop discipline in Sri Lanka.

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Uditha Thursday, 04 April 2024 12:24 AM

I don't agree with this statement though may be contributing. It is vital to look at the facilities of motorways across the world. Monotonous driving make the drive sleepy ( as in my case !!) and drivers need to stop, take a break or have a short nap ( like me ) before continuing driving. If not, eventually some will veer off causing accidents. Southern highway has got only 1 resting /service station for over probably 150 miles !! Usually every 20-30 miles, there should be rest areas and it is VITAL to consider this in all highways!. This is a MAJOR FLAW of planning such highways. With this regular messages/ driving tips should be projected via electronic panels to inform drivers on rainy, misty or other road conditions giving precautionary advice.

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Michael Perera Thursday, 04 April 2024 12:26 AM

have another commitee! What an absolute waste of public money. The laws are there, so get the police to enforce them without political interference and get these cowboys off the road. They think they can get away with speeding, overtaking when dangerous etc., just because they are driving a VIP around.

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Smh Thursday, 04 April 2024 12:49 AM

"33% due to changing weather patterns, heavy rain, skidding". This is also a form of driver negligence. Operating a vehicle in inclement weather requires basic skills like slowing down, turning on headlights, using signal lights, ensuring wipers, brakes and tyres are in good condition. If your vehicle is not maintained you are negligent and cannot safely drive in bad weather.

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Driver Thursday, 04 April 2024 04:59 AM

Not only drivers. Also vehicles condition worn out of tyres. Ineffective of brakes. Unnecessary overtaking. Not following the traffic rules and signals. Proper lane usage. Ect.

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down under Thursday, 04 April 2024 05:18 AM

It can brought down drastically If the police implement drug and alcohol testing rigidly with heavy fines and cancellations of driving licenses for speeding too.

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Simon Thursday, 04 April 2024 05:20 AM

Agree, it's mostly bad discipline of the drivers rather than lack of knowledge. Just see, occupying both lanes while driving, some goes along the shoulder making an extra artificial lane, double overtaking, changing lanes at very short distances, and flashing lights wanting to overtake. Why authorities let some vehicles who do not drive faster than even 50kmph? These are such as old lorries (marked as 32mph), dimo battas, and heavy trucks carrying big loads. Bad discipline everywhere, not just only on the roads.

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Dr.Jeyaraman Devarajan Thursday, 04 April 2024 05:37 AM

All the drivers must understand what is their social responsibility. They have to look after the interests of the passengers, and pedestrians, respect the traffic rules, and respect the rights of other vehicles on the road. How many drivers are caring about others? Unless they change their attitude, always there are accidents.

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Expat Thursday, 04 April 2024 05:42 AM

RMV Road trials need to be elevated to Dubai standard.

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Gabriella Thursday, 04 April 2024 06:40 AM

Bandula Gunawardena ! Another genius that should be re-elected. 56% of accidents are caused by negligence. 44% of accidents are caused by skill and planning. We needed a committee to find that out.

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ravin Thursday, 04 April 2024 06:44 AM

Really ! why don't you explain that to the man sits next you. At the same time tell him also driver written test is about road rules and regulations.

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DW Thursday, 04 April 2024 07:47 AM

IF you look at European motorways, especially German, the speed limit is 130km/h and there are sections where there is no speed limit. The driving skills of most drivers (not just Germans but other major European countries) are exceptional. I recently drove on Southern Expressway in SL and I could not believe how useless drivers were. They were like monkeys with typewriters. I don't think Sri Lankan driver training includes motorway driver discipline. Poor vehicle standards exacerbate the issue. What plans does the minister have to fix the issue?

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D.P. Arasaratnam - Rtd.Maths Teacher J/Central College Thursday, 04 April 2024 11:13 AM

Bandula where did you study? You don't know the simple calculation and talking about percentages. Hay man, listen 100% accidents are taking place because of driver negligence.

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Dias Bassanayake Thursday, 04 April 2024 11:15 AM

Mr. Bandula any plans to make easy money as commission to your pockets?

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Lucky from Homagama Thursday, 04 April 2024 11:17 AM

Minister Bandula after you took over the accidents are more. Better quit your ministry and take over Budhasasana ministry.

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Tuan Thursday, 04 April 2024 11:25 AM

Minister what are doing all this time sleeping on the post, you should be out of the ministry, and sent to mental hospital.

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Kaputupalage Mynam Thursday, 04 April 2024 11:35 AM

Give free licence to students to reduce this? Modayo!!

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Freddy Flintstone Thursday, 04 April 2024 11:45 AM

The best solution would be: teach people how to drive, because 99,99% of all sri lankans can not really drive. The most important thing is the theory and the rules which have to be followed. As nobody follows any rules on the roads and everyone does as he/she likes, as nobody learned anything, you have many accidents and dead people. Compared to Germany, where you can drive on some highways as fast as you can, SL has 32 times more dead people in road accidents. If you think education is expensive - try ignorance.

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navratne willamune Thursday, 04 April 2024 05:27 PM

according to Bandula u have to change tyres before entering the motorway!!!!

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