[sustran] Discipline is needed??

Ranjith de Silva ranjithsd at sltnet.lk
Thu Apr 27 14:30:02 JST 2006


Hi all,
 
In terms of making people aware of transport discipline in the
developing countries the electronic media (e.g. television) can play an
effective role either positively or negatively. Examples can be given
from Sri Lanka as mentioned below.
 
1.	An advertisement showing a child waving to drivers of vehicles
at a pedestrian's crossing to stop by raising his hand and in the
background a voice says "communicate and remind the drivers of your
rights and cross safely". This was a very effective positive case.
2.	A large number of commercial advertisements by Insurance
Companies saying that they will not ask for Police reports on accidents
and also pay their customers "on the spot" without going through the
hassle of going to the traffic police for reports. I think with these
advertisements and practices by the insurance companies, have increased
the number of accidents and usually they are not recorded in any police
station now. Police also encourage drivers to go for the "on the spot"
just to evade from the trouble. It has also created indiscipline driving
with many minor accidents specially involving three and two wheelers,
who try to be "Traffic Breakers" (as shown in one of the Indian
motorcycle advertisement how to drive fast in the traffic sneaking
though the slow moving vehicles) and create traffic jams and unnecessary
delays and burning more fuel and polluting the air for no productive
reason.
 
This example below from Sri Lanka shows the Transport Planners are only
worried about the existing traffic regulations irrespective of their
current relevance to the country situation.
1.       In Sri Lanka, one needs neither a riding nor revenue (only a
small amount charged by the Local Government bodies) license nor an
insurance cover to ride a bicycle as in many other countries. Someone
imported the motorised "Moped" (a small motorised scooter run on petrol)
and was produced before the authorities for license at it is a motorised
mode. The definition by the authorities was a very one. Under the
existing laws this "Moped" has been categorized as a "Bicycle" with no
revenue license, no insurance cover (at least for third party damage)
and NO driving license is required. You may see now these modes rapidly
becoming popular in Sri Lanka and also going at speeds of over 30 Kmph.
May the god help the poor pedestrians and others if they are hit by
these "Mopeds" driven by people who do not even know the Highway Code
and have no assured support for the damage to the third party.
 
Ranjith
 
Ranjith de Silva
Asia Regional Coordinator
International Forum for Rural Transport and Development (IFRTD)
C/o: 319/10, Ramanayaka Mawatha, Erawwala, Pannipitiya, 
Sri Lanka.
 
Phone: +94 11 2842972
Fax: +94 11 2856188
 
Email: ranjith at ifrtd.org
 
web: www.ifrtd.org
 
"The IFRTD is a global network of individuals and organisations working
together towards improved access and mobility for the rural poor in
developing countries"
 
 
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