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The law has become a dead letter
View(s):Story and pix by Susantha Liyanawatte
Recently police introduced a new law, making it compulsory that three-wheelers carry a maximum of no more than three passengers
Despite being punishable by law, overloaded three-wheelers are a common sight in Colombo and its suburbs.
Police spokesman SSP Preshantha Jayakody has pointed out that there have been 176 fatal accidents this year involving three-wheelers. Another 467 serious accidents involving three-wheelers also occurred during the same period.
A passenger, Sujith Kumara said most middle-income families find three-wheelers an affordable and convenient mode of transport.
Therefore despite the law even big families tend to do most of travel and shopping using this mode of transport.
Sampath Ranatunga a three-wheel driver, said there were many instances despite the driver’s protests, people forced them to carry huge loads in addition to carrying more than three passengers.
 Rising costs force large families to travel in a single 3-wheeler despite dangers to life and limb. This vehicle was carrying six passengers -father, mother and four children! |
 No thought for safety… passengers with their legs sticking out of a three-wheeler |
 A dangerously over-loaded three-wheeler weaves its way between vehicles in the city centre |
 Driving blind: There is no way the driver can use his rear-view mirror |
 Endangering pedestrians and other road users, this three-wheeler speeds through traffic with a ladder dangerously balanced |
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