Sri Lanka police to crack down on mot
View(s):In the wake of an ever increasing road traffic accidents, Sri Lanka Police is strictly implementing motor traffic laws with effect from June 10 against motor cyclists who violate the law. The Traffic Police will be tough on motor cyclists who breach lane discipline on roads as it has become a major cause of motor cycle accidents, Police Headquarters said.
Sri Lanka police to crack down on mot
“Motorcyclists riding on their machines thinking as if roads and even pavements are their domain result in a dangerous situation and more vulnerable for accidents,” a senior police officer disclosed. They are in the habit of riding on opposite lanes in a zigzag manner sometimes head-on with oncoming vehicles or on pavements to evade traffic queues posing unwarranted danger for motorists as well as pedestrians.
Heavy fines will be imposed on such reckless riding and the Traffic Police will be monitoring road lane discipline commencing this week. According to statistics released by Police Headquarters, a total of 332 motorcyclists and pillion riders have died as a result of road accidents from January 1 to April 30 this year.
This is an increase from the 254 who were killed during the same period last year. Over 2.9 million motor cycles are running on roads country wide. Police have identified four main reasons for motorcycle related accidents. They are failure to fasten the chin strap of protective helmets properly; not wearing protective helmets; trying to overtake vehicles despite the way ahead being unclear and riding at a speed that the motorcyclist cannot control.
Accordingly, beginning from June 10, motorcyclists who have failed to fasten their helmet chin straps properly, those who use coloured visors on their motorbikes, and those who overtake vehicles without keeping to their lane while being unable to clearly see the way in front of them, will be prosecuted under the motor traffic law, Police Headquarters announced this week.
Meanwhile any pillion rider who doesn’t wear a helmet or one that is not approved by the Transport Ministry will also be liable for prosecution, in addition the motorist.or cyclists violating road lane discipline