The government has launched a range of initiatives to make cars safe for driving and tackle air pollution and remove road unworthy vehicles from roads commencing this year. The 2018 budget contained some important proposals that are being looked at in terms of safety features of vehicles and the environmental impact. What we have seen [...]

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The government has launched a range of initiatives to make cars safe for driving and tackle air pollution and remove road unworthy vehicles from roads commencing this year.

The 2018 budget contained some important proposals that are being looked at in terms of safety features of vehicles and the environmental impact.

What we have seen in the past was that government policies more or less were confined to paper. No proper implementation is adhered to keeping in line with the trend of development in the automobile industry.

However this time the government has stipulated a time-frame and set up a unit at the Treasury to monitor the implementation of the 2018 budget proposals.

Even though the motor traders are supportive of the implementation of these new policies for the automobile industry, it would be prudent to consult the stakeholders when such policy decisions are made, as sudden and overnight changes would put them in short term jeopardy.

It would be appropriate if these new policies are discussed in advance and get additional inputs from the industry and be more specific in identifying the category of vehicles and to grant grace period of 6-8 months at least before fixing the effective date of implementation.

For example: In reality when the franchise holders place orders with their manufacturers there is a minimum lead time of 3-4 months, hence the vehicles ordered presently would technically arrive four to five months later.

In this situation if a grace period is not allowed it would put all the importers in a precarious situation.

Importation of motor vehicles, which are not complied with the safety measures namely (a) Air Bags for driver and the front passenger, (b) Anti-Locking Breaking System (ABS) and (c) Three Point Seat Belts for driver and the passengers travelling in the front and rear seats, will be prohibited effective from January 1, 2018 in line with the safety of passengers/travellers.

This was a good move in terms of making cars safe for driving at a time where the number of motor traffic accidents is increasing alarmingly with over 2,200 people being killed in Sri Lanka in road accidents in the first nine months of last year alone.

Statistics compiled by the Police revealed that our roads are becoming deadlier and making safety measures for vehicles compulsory was good policy for the country.
But it is practically impossible to implement this proposal with effect from January 1 this year as some of the importers have already placed orders and opened LC’s to bring down vehicles without such safety features.

Therefore it is essential for the government to protect the local motor traders and for the sustenance of the industry by extending the date of implementation of this proposal.

Built-in safety features such as airbags, antilock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) and seat belt pre-tensioners help prevent or manage the forces of impact. All are critical features.

Vehicles with advanced safety assist technologies such as autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and fatigue monitoring systems towards avoiding or reducing the severity of accidents are now available in the market.

Policymakers should also look into these aspects when introducing policies to make cars safer for driving in the country in the long run.

With concern for the environment growing, the decision to introduce vehicle engines of EU4 Standard is welcome though the issue would be the availability of EU4 compatible fuel being made available islandwide.

The 95 RON Petrol and 4 Star Super Diesel are available in the market. However this needs to be endorsed by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation that its fuel is EU4 compatible.

Further it is also important to make it available across the island in all the fuel stations.

It is also very important that while new environmental beneficial factors are looked into, at the same time to get rid of the obsolete and age old vehicles out of the road which is one of the major causes of traffic congestion, fuel wastage and air pollution.

The government should consider this issue very seriously and bring in some policy and mechanism to get rid of the vehicles which are 15 to 20 years old, and introduce a replacement scheme by way of offering some concessions, and to encourage the masses to replace age old vehicles especially the commercial vehicles engaged in the transport industry sector at least.

It is also very evident that majority of the school children transport vans are over 30-40 year-old vehicles in very poor condition putting the passengers life in danger, of course with a mere income the van owner gets.

Therefore it is, high time that the government looks at this sector in supporting such industry by helping to take away non roadworthy vehicles off the road and provide facilities for replacement of such vehicles for the sake of the future generation.

There should be a mechanism to encourage consumers to opt for brand new vehicles and increase duty/tax band for reconditioned vehicles.

(The writer is the Chairman of the Ceylon Motor Traders Association Chairman)

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