Sunday Times 2
Road safety: Concern over lack of NCRS visibility
View(s):By J.S. Ameresekere
I was both shocked and disappointed when I read the article titled “Report proposes tougher laws against drivers to stem second largest cause of deaths” in the Sunday Times of March 16, 2025. Shocked because the report states that Sri Lanka has “the highest per capita fatality rate in the region” and adduces reasons such as “weak road safety management, poor governance and a lack of co-ordination among agencies”. Disappointed because the article states that the report was commissioned at the request of the chair of the National Council for Road Safety (NCRS).
I believe that this is not the first instance where a ‘foreign agency’ has been asked to study and report on what is happening in our own backyard, which many of us are well aware of, especially the NCRS. Disappointed also because the NCRS does not appear to be addressing the issues the World Bank report has pinpointed.
Tougher laws
As has often been stated, the laws we have are adequate. Rather than formulating more laws, implementing current laws more effectively is the need of the hour. To cite an example, in a head-on collision of two buses, the offending driver can be easily identified. It is clearly the one who has broken the rules (e.g., overtaking without a clear view of oncoming traffic). In instances where such a crash results in fatalities, the offending driver should be charged with the criminal offence of manslaughter, the penalty for which is 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment. I believe the police will take steps to penalise such offenders severely. However, when such tragic events occur, attention is hardly ever focused on the offender and the magnitude of the offence. This is necessary, as it could work as a deterrent to such careless and negligent driving. The NCRS could step in to see that the news reports give adequate publicity to the offence and punishments.
The report mentions that the NCRS requires more powers to act effectively and bemoans the lack of ‘enforcement authority’. However, as one of the earliest secretaries of the NCRS, I should like to point out that the thinking behind the establishment of the NCRS did not include giving it ‘teeth’. It was to be a policymaking and advisory unit of the Ministry of Transport. Implementation and enforcement were carried out through its 17-member council. The departments and organisations the members represented (e.g., the police, Commissioner of Motor Traffic) had powers to implement the decisions of the NCRS under their respective Acts.
In the early days of the NCRS, one of the objectives was to make itself known and its presence felt. I should like to quote two instances where this was done. The then-transport minister, M.H. Mohamed, was concerned at the time about what is generally termed “drink driving”. On his instructions, the NCRS persuaded a TV channel to show a slide picturing a half-filled wine glass with a crossed-out (X) sign over it and carrying the slogan “None for the Road”. At the bottom of the slide NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ROAD SAFETY was printed in bold capitals.
I cannot say for certain whether it was this ‘propaganda’ on the part of the NCRS that the second instance took place, but the event was significant.
About two weeks later, the chairman of the Tyre Corporation approached us and offered us a donation towards our road safety campaign. Using these funds, NCRS printed around 200,000 stickers carrying the legend “Drive safely on Kelani Tyres” at the top of the sticker and “National Council for Road Safety” printed at the bottom. These stickers were distributed through the Department of Motor Traffic. Those who registered a motor vehicle were advised to display the sticker on the outside of the rear window of their vehicle. About 150,000 such stickers were issued. Recognition and awareness were, I believe, achieved.
Through the DIG Traffic, monthly road safety demonstrations were organised in the districts where schoolchildren were invited to witness the observation of traffic rules and sometimes even to participate. I believe similar programmes are being carried out now, but what is lacking is the NCRS presence. It is not “visible”.
In the first year of operation of the NCRS, a poster competition relating to road safety was organised for schoolchildren. Under this programme, children of different age groups (e.g., 10-12 years, 13-15 years) were invited to send in drawings focusing on road safety issues such as crossing the road safely and dangers of speeding. A panel of judges decided the winners, and prizes were awarded. I believe the NCRS has similar programmes, and they are to be commended.
Other areas
Improving safety at railway crossings, crossroads, and pedestrian crossings, as well as certain important laws that need immediate implementation (e.g., the enforcement of two riders on motorcycles), are some of the other areas that need to be addressed.
I have written this as I am concerned about the loss of life on the roads. It worries me because I believe (I may be wrong) that sufficient attention is not being paid by the authorities concerned to reduce this carnage.
(The writer is a former Director Planning at the Ministry of Transport and
Highways and former secretary of the National Council for Road Safety.)