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Murdercycles revel in the killing zone
Thousands are riding without licences, they commit tens of thousands of traffic offences and Sri Lanka’s motorcyclists have gained the dubious honour of being among the leading killers on roads across the island.
Motorbike riders are responsible for causing the deaths of at least three people every day. Many who die are the riders themselves. Most are reckless and young. Latest police data show that motorcyclists had been booked for 3,000 offences last year.
More than 40,000 motorbike riders had been detected without licences last year while 390,000 were booked for traffic offences, police data show.
Motorbike riders are also responsible for more than a third of all road traffic accident deaths.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic), Palitha Fernando, told the Sunday Times that last year, law enforcers filed 1.1 million cases against motorbike riders in courts.
He explained that 1,154 fatal accidents were recorded last year, while 1,204 people were killed. He cited speeding and overtaking at bends as among the major causes of accidents.
He said motorbike riders ignore traffic lights and are often involved in collisions as a result. Talking on mobile phones while riding is another risk they take.
He said riders continue to ignore requests not to slide mobile phones to the sides of their helmets and talk while riding.
Most motorbike riders were prosecuted last year for speeding, careless riding, recklessness, and riding condemned motorcycles.
The number of people hospitalised as a result of motorcycle accidents, too, have been on the rise and most casualties are young.
National Coordinator (Training ) Accident and Orthopaedic Service at the National Hospital, Pushpa R. Zoysa, who is also the head nurse at the accident service, told the Sunday times that most casualties admitted are motorcycle accident victims.
Ms Zoysa explained that many accidents could be attributed to fatigue or sudden loss of control, but that careless riding and not wearing protective gear also play a apart.
She said that most riders suffer head injuries, while some suffer spinal injuries. “People with head injuries, internal haemorrhage, pelvis fractures, multiple fractures on limbs, spinal cord damage, scull fractures, and abdominal wounds are among the cases we receive.’’
Many riders die when they are hurled off their bikes during collisions, she said.
Palitha Fernando
Deputy Inspector General of Police, K. Arasaratnam, who earlier served as director of city traffic, said that motorbikes have become the favoured mode of transport among youths.
He said young riders were often without a licence. They speed, overtake at bends and take risks by leaning their bikes to the left and right, and they attempt wheelies. Their lack of experience, he said, spells doom for others.
He said that schools, universities as well as police should educate youths about the dangers they put themselves in and the threat they pose to others.
Arasaratnam, who is also the community policing coordinator of the east, said unapproved helmets are a contributory factor in injuries.
He said some riders wear helmets but do not buckle the chin strap and that this should be taken note of by traffic police.
He suggests a de-merit system for offences rather than fines and expects such a system to be introduced.
During the past three weeks, motorbike accidents claimed the lives of youths including that of two 22 year old boys who were killed on the Wattala-Hendala road and two others who were killed in Galle on the access road to the southern expressway.
Breaking rules: Motorcyclist balancing a mobile phone