News
New regulations for three-wheelers
Commuters now have recourse to the police over errant three-wheeler scooter taxi drivers. New Motor Traffic (Motor Tricycle) regulations now effective will enable passengers to complain to the Police, the Consumer Affairs Authority or the Motor Traffic Department, Motor Traffic Commissioner S.H. Harischandra told the Sunday Times.
The driver has to conduct himself in a civil and orderly manner, should not smoke, should not terminate the hire before he has been discharged and should carry the passengers to their destinations by the shortest route within the shortest time unless otherwise requested by the passenger, the regulations regarding driver etiquette state.
The Commissioner said the regulations would also make it compulsory for drivers to display behind the driver’s seat the registration number, the name of the driver, along with his photograph, the driving licence number, and telephone numbers to inform in case of an emergency.
The regulations also insist that the two exterior rear view mirrors, head lamps with head and dip beams and an indicator, tail or stop lamp, side direction indicator lamp, reverse lamp, two interior lamps for driver compartment and passenger compartment, parking lamps and horns should be fitted and be in good condition.
All forms of lettering on the front and rear of the three-wheeler should be removed because sometimes these were distracting to drivers and even leading to accidents. Only the fare should be displayed, Mr. Harischandra said. The regulations also include the setting up of a fare review committee and the introduction of a price formula for the first kilometre and subsequent kilometres.
The committee will be headed by the Transport Ministry secretary, and a representative appointed by the Finance Ministry, Provincial Councils, the National Transport Commission, the Inspector General of Police, the Local Government Ministry, the Consumer Protection Authority and two transport experts.
It will also be made compulsory for all three wheelers to be fitted with standardised meters that have been tested by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles or an authorised officer. The meters would be be tested at least once a year. Regarding the meters the regulation states, “It is also the passenger’s duty to pay the fare as registered in the taxi meter. The driver upon the payment of such a fare should issue a receipt to that effect.”
According to the police, during the first six months of this year, there were 132 fatal accidents involving three wheelers while 535 accidents resulted in serious injuries to the victims. Some 1500 three-wheeler accidents resulted in minor injuries and 1,321 accidents caused damage to vehicle and property.
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