News
Flying three-wheelers a fatal attraction
The three-wheeler and tipper involved in the Boyagane accident that claimed three lives from one family. Pix by Pushpakumara Jayaratne
Having spent months labouring at building sites in Colombo, young Dharshana Madushanka, was looking forward to be with his family during the National New Year celebration.
So the 26-year-old bought gifts for his sister’s family in Inamaluwa, Dambulla and decided to travel in his three-wheeler.
Mr Madhushanka left on Sunday night expecting to reach his sister’s family early on Sunday. He was accompanied by wife Asanki Yashodha, 24, their two-year-old daughter Nethsarani, and his mother Jayangani Premachandra.
They started their journey well past midnight.
But, at Boyagane on the Kurunegala-Colombo Road, tragedy struck around 1.30 a.m. The three-wheeler collided with a Colombo-bound tipper hauling sand. Mr Madhushanka’s wife survived, but three in his family died.
Suspicions are that one driver had fallen asleep at the wheel.
In another head-on collision in Bibile involving a three-wheeler and a pick-up truck this week, two persons were killed.
In Badulla, a father of three was killed on a pedestrian crossing when a three-wheeler slammed into him.
These accidents are just a few of the many involving three-wheelers on our roads.
Three-wheelers claim more than 10 lives a week.
Now, the authorities are waking up. 
National Council for Road Safety Chairman Sisira Kodagoda, told the Sunday Times that changes are being made to make three-wheelers safer.
“All three-wheelers must cover the metal bars with sponge and there will be two additional bars on the right side of the passenger seat. Seat belts will be fixed to all passenger seats so that it will protect the passengers from being thrown out of the vehicle. The leg space will be on a slightly higher elevation than the passenger seat,” explained Mr Kodagoda.
“The three wheel-drivers’ income depends on passengers. It is unfair if the passenger safety is not given prominence.”
Safety improvements will be made after discussions with the Three Wheeler Association on April 24. The regulations have already been gazetted.
“We will introduce a scheme for the existing three-wheelers to do the structural changes as well,” he said.
Mr Kodagoda also revealed a new initiative. “We will be introducing a ‘good passenger transport’ programme.” As a trial, 100 three-wheeler drivers will be given uniforms. This initiative aims to to educate drivers on the treatment of passengers and inform them of the regulations.
Three-wheeler drivers admit safety should be improved.
L.R. Sarath Kumara said he had been a driver for 12 years. “I was a carpenter before I took up driving three-wheelers.”
New regulations will also mean that three-wheeler drivers will face penalties for non-compliance.
Sarath Kumara, a resident of Pokunawita, Horana comes to Colombo at least twice a week on a hire, but he took a dim view of the laws and penalties. “We are fined for every little offense.”
He said he does not exceed the 40 kilometres per hour speed limit set for three-wheelers, unless in a hurry.
Isuru Sampath juggles two jobs. He had been driving three-wheelers for six years and he also builds pantry cupboards to order.
Mr Sampath belives traffic regulations are harsh. “We can’t fix a music set up in the three -wheeler as it is considered an offense. We are not allowed to drive with the headlights on.” He said driving with lights on low would be risky.
He said rules have been tightened because of offenses committed by some.
“I have seen three-wheeler drivers drinking and driving especially on the Maligawatta route. Drivers are so drunk that their vehicles tip over in the middle of the night.”
He said such drivers made life difficult for the rest, who abide by the rules.
With some 1.1 million three wheelers registered and nearly 75 per cent of them used for passenger transport, imposing of regulations have become vital.
The Deputy Inspector General of Traffic, Palitha Fernando, said the number of three-wheelers have increased in the past few months. “In February, there were 4,602 three wheelers registered at the Department of Motor Traffic.”
He said that despite 40km/ph speed limit, there are instances when three-wheelers hit 80km/ph.
“In 2015, there were 328 fatal accidents and 378 deaths. And in 2016, the number of fatal accidents reported were 372 and 405 deaths were reported,” he said.
He attributes the rising incidence of accidents to lack of driver training.
As for the no-headlights rule, he said: “If every vehicle uses headlights at night, it can cause severe accidents as it is a distraction to an on-coming vehicle,” DIG Fernando said.
The president of the All Island Three Wheeler Drivers Union, Lalith Dharmasekara complained of unsafe roads full of vehicles. “Many people buy three-wheelers as a means to survive. There are two types of three-wheelers on the road. The private three-wheelers and three-wheelers running on hire,” he said.
| Lessons of the road The police have begun an awareness programme for vehicle drivers. Deputy Inspector General of Police, Palitha Fernando says the programme on Sundays, is for drivers involved in minor traffic offences. There are also programmes for three-wheeler drivers and school van drivers. “They are made aware of ways to minimise road accidents and they are educated about the traffic rules and regulations.”
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| Young accident victim critical A 25-year-old girl is fighting for her life in the Intensive Care Unit of the National Hospital after suffering severe head injuries in an accident involving a drunk driver who slammed into a three-wheeler on Stanley Thilakrathne Mawatha in Nugegoda on April 2. She was returning home in a three-wheeler with her mother and brother after a family celebration when a drunk driver ploughed into them from the opposite lane. She was thrown out of the three-wheeler and suffered extensive head injuries. Her mother, brother and the three-wheeler driver also were wounded and are at the National Hospital. Deputy Inspector General of Traffic, Palitha Fernando, said the driver of the car was drunk at the time and had been driving towards oncoming vehicles. He is in remand custody until April 24. |