<html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10"> <meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 10"> <link rel=File-List href="cid:filelist.xml@01C669ED.EC939B60"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=Section1> Hi all,<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> 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 <st1:country-region><st1:place>Sri Lanka</st1:place></st1:country-region> as mentioned below.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <ol style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in' start=1 type=1> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in'>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.<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in'>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.<o:p></o:p></li> </ol> <o:p> </o:p> This example below from <st1:country-region><st1:place>Sri Lanka</st1:place></st1:country-region> shows the Transport Planners are only worried about the existing traffic regulations irrespective of their current relevance to the country situation.<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>1.       <![endif]>In <st1:country-region><st1:place>Sri Lanka</st1:place></st1:country-region>, 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 <st1:country-region><st1:place>Sri Lanka</st1:place></st1:country-region> 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.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Ranjith<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Ranjith de Silva<o:p></o:p> <st1:place>Asia</st1:place> Regional Coordinator<o:p></o:p> International Forum for Rural Transport and Development (IFRTD)<o:p></o:p> C/o: 319/10, Ramanayaka Mawatha, Erawwala, Pannipitiya, <o:p></o:p> <st1:country-region><st1:place>Sri Lanka</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Phone: +94 11 2842972<o:p></o:p> Fax: +94 11 2856188<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Email: <a href="mailto:ranjith@ifrtd.org">ranjith@ifrtd.org</a><o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> web: <a href="http://www.ifrtd.org">www.ifrtd.org</a><o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> “The IFRTD is a global network of individuals and organisations working together towards improved access and mobility for the rural poor in developing countries”<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> </div> </body> </html>