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Ella tragedy: Speeding amateur driver at the wheel of a mechanical mess, sent bus into deadly plunge
View(s):By Kasun Warakapitiya
Lack of maintenance, a tired and inexperienced driver unfamiliar with the road conditions, and use of wrong braking techniques, as well as driving at excessive speed, had contributed to last week’s Ella-Wellawaya private bus accident, an initial report by the Department of Motor Traffic reveals.
The DMT submitted an interim report this week.
DMT Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe told the Sunday Times that the examiners of motor vehicles observed that the bus was not properly maintained, despite expensive modifications done externally.
Soldiers who rushed to rescue the victims are seen near the wreckage of the ill‑fated bus.
“The axles are not properly greased and are worn; there were oil leaks, and the airbrake system was poorly maintained. These were key mechanical contributing factors to the accident,’’ he said.
He said the brakes had been overused and overheated, causing the brake lining to change colour and bind, making them fail. The bus had been operating on a higher gear, implying it was driven at great speed.
Mr Amarasinghe said that the driver had been unfamiliar with the bus, as it was his first time, and he was also inexperienced in driving in hilly terrain.
The driver had been overworked and fatigued. He had driven a dual-purpose vehicle (DNA-8263) from Colombo to Tangalle on the previous day and then drove the private bus NB 1673. He began the trip from Tangalle to Nuwara Eliya at 3:00 am and drove until the deadly crash at 09:06 pm on September 4.
The bus had been speeding, and brakes were repeatedly used, causing them to overheat, the examiners have claimed.
“The bus, which was initially a long-distance vehicle and removed from service, was sold and used as a special tour bus. Such buses are used for short distances, but if they fail the roadworthiness test, they should not be used,’’ Mr Amarasinghe said.
He said the bus was only modified for external appeal, and yet essential systems such as the brakes had been overlooked.
Sources revealed that the bus, which was sold for six million rupees, was modified by spending eight million rupees.
A new sand barrier is being built at the site where the bus tragedy occurred. Pix by Prasad Rukmal
The DMT had issued a circular, 2023/13, allowing decorations on buses, fitting accessories and modifications. The then commissioner had cited a request by the private bus owners association, on the grounds that the modifications caused a loss and a modification industry had sprung up.
The Sunday Times observed that most buses that are serviced are not fully serviced. Wheels are not removed during the process, where faulty brakes and wheel components may be exposed.
Through a new circular issued on September 9, the DMT nullified the circular which allowed decorations, accessories, and modification of buses.
But this came after the Ella-Wellawaya road bus tragedy. The death toll rose to 16 with the death of an injured woman on Friday.
Meanwhile, the National Transport Board (NTC) said it would carry out a two-pronged initiative to regulate public transport and reduce accidents involving public transport vehicles.
NTC Chairman P.A. Chandrapala said all public transport vehicles, including office transport, school transport, three-wheelers, taxis and special tour buses, will be asked to register under the NTC.
The NTC was previously only regulating private passenger buses by issuing permits. Tour buses are not registered and do not have a permit.
A separate entity is to be established for the welfare of non-state transport workers, under which a fund would be set up.
Road Development Authority (RDA) senior officials are designing roads and bends and even setting up traffic signs to reduce accidents. However, it is up to the vehicle operators to use common sense.
RDA Chairman T. Paskaran said that while the road was being built, a W-beam crash barrier had been installed at the crash location, with a slope towards the hillside so vehicles would not topple over.
The crash barrier at the accident location was similar to the ones set up at expressways and could bear an impact of 70 kilometres per hour.
“The bus had hit the beam at a 90-degree angle at excessive speed. There were warning and traffic signs set up by RDA and police,” he said. A soil barrier has now been erected at the location.
“This is not a permanent solution; the soil barrier could take the impact and stop vehicles from falling into the precipice, but a stronger and permanent barrier would be a short brick wall, yet an impact on such a wall too would cause more damage to vehicles,” he said.
One billion rupees has been allocated to set up crash barriers in three provinces and two districts in the Southern Province. It would take at least six to nine months for the procurement process.
Private Bus Owners Association President Gamunu Wijeratne said a meeting was held with the Inspector General of Police.
The group asked police to consider inspecting buses at bus stops and bus parks to avoid any inconvenience to passengers.
He said he also asked the police to increase checks on public passenger transport drivers operating under the influence of drugs.
He suggested action against buses featuring flashing lights.
| Safety first message to drivers The Department of Motor Traffic, the National Transport Board, and the Road Development Authority have proposed several measures to reduce accidents. DMT Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe said brakes, headlights, wheel alignment, and engine components should be maintained by vehicle owners. He said vehicle modification should not be allowed, especially if it caused obstruction. Mr Amarasinghe said commercial vehicles such as buses and lorries should have a fitness certificate, an emission test certificate and full insurance. The DMT is recruiting 25 new motor vehicle examiners, as their 140-member cadre is inadequate, he said. Vehicle registration will be digitalised, and licensing under the e-motoring concept will make it easier to regulate vehicles and drivers.The demerit system, too, would be implemented. Drivers need to follow road traffic rules, he said. The department hopes to discuss with the Indian passenger bus manufacturers to insist on the inclusion of seat belts and seating setup. The National Transport Board urged bus owners to be responsible when selecting drivers and assistants. Chairman P.A. Chandrapala said that for every four-and-a-half-hour drive, at least a half-hour break should be taken. Drivers should also be informed of the infrastructure, the terrain of the area and how physics and motion work. Mr Chandrapala said other stakeholders should display applicable speeds at bends on roads. RDA Chairman T. Paskaran said infrastructure is only one minor factor which contributes to accidents, but the driver and the condition of the vehicle play a bigger role. He said drivers should drive slowly and safely and also rest to reduce accidents. | |
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