Driving today has become a nightmare on our roads. Last week three buses whizzed past our car in a race to pick up passengers on the Galle Road in Wellawatte. One wrong turn by the bus or by us could have ended in tragedy.
Motorists and motorcyclists overtake you on either side of the road with utter impunity. Almost daily someone is killed on our roads. Fresh laws are being drafted to deal with speeding drivers. Instead of spot fines the errant driver should be made to go to courts to settle the matter. The Supreme Court evidently ruled that correct signboards have to be in place before those who are speeding are charged.
It is estimated that over 3,000 sign boards will have to be installed and it will cost over Rs. 70 million.
I am surprised that speed signs are not painted on the surfaces of more roads. Many countries have these huge signs painted on the surface especially within the city limits.
In Germany as soon as you exit the autobahn huge signs greet you and warn you as to how fast you can drive.
The advantages of these speed signs are many. First it will not distract the driver who may be looking for that small sign on the roadside.
Second it will help the driver to monitor his speed while driving since it is right in front of him.
These signs painted in large letters in white on the black surface will remind the motorist that he is exceeding the speed limit.
There are so many unemployed graduates (catch our graduates doing this?) who could be employed to do this job. This painting work should be done late at night.
I hope this suggestion will catch the eyes of those in authority. This will prevent wrecks and the stress of driving today.
Dr. V.C.
Colombo 7 |
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