[sustran] Re: Discipline is needed??

[Lee Schipper]

Arrivng in Hanoi today after only four months absence I was shocked at
the thicker swarms of 2 wheelers and cars, the greater numbers of left
turns who just cut off on coming traffic, up to 25 mopes per signal
period crossing well after the light has turned red against them, the
utter inability of people to wait their turn to go around obstacles,
which creates even more obstacles!  What a mess!

>>> ranjithsd at sltnet.lk 4/27/2006 1:30:02 AM >>>
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"