[sustran] Re: Discipline is needed??

[Carlos F. Pardo SUTP]

Ranjith,

 

Thanks for the illustrative examples. The only problem with mass media is
that it is not as effective as work with communities (more focussed work).
Also, a tv spot is so expensive that you could do a lot more with the same
money by working with groups of people, by transmitting specific messages. 

 

Best regards,

 

Carlos F. Pardo 
Coordinador de Proyecto 
GTZ - Proyecto de Transporte Sostenible (SUTP, SUTP-LAC) 
Cl 125bis # 41-28 of 404
Bogotá D.C., Colombia
Tel:  +57 (1) 215 7812

Fax: +57 (1) 236 2309  
Mobile: +57 (3) 15 296 0662
e-mail:  <mailto:carlos.pardo at sutp.org> carlos.pardo at sutp.org 
Página:  <http://www.sutp.org/> www.sutp.org

 

  _____  

De: sustran-discuss-bounces+carlos.pardo=sutp.org at list.jca.apc.org
[mailto:sustran-discuss-bounces+carlos.pardo=sutp.org at list.jca.apc.org] En
nombre de Ranjith de Silva
Enviado el: Jueves, 27 de Abril de 2006 12:30 a.m.
Para: 'Asia and the Pacific sustainable transport'
Asunto: [sustran] Discipline is needed??

 

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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