Ben SilvaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Media reports (Ref: http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2010/02/21/sec10.asp )ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  indicate the large number of unnecessary road traffic accidents in Sri Lanka. The victims of road traffic accidentsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  include pedestrians, motor cycle riders, schoolchildren, and women pillion riders etc. Hardly a day goes by without something tragic on our highways being reported in our newspapers. The cause of these accidents includeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  speeding, reckless driving, irresponsible behaviour and negligence of drivers. I observedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  thatƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  drivers of ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ carsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  and other vehiclesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ had total disregard for law and order and for the safety of ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ other users of the road. People crossing the road risked their life. Old people, who are not alert, risked their life , just walking on the road. Visitors who are not used to this insane situation on the roads of Sri Lanka can easily get killed. I myself narrowly escaped death several times, just walking on the road.

All these abusive ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ behaviour pattern of drivers showed the abuse of power of the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”have classƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ie the rich against the masses.

It is time the ordinary road users organised themselves and complained to the appropriate authorities.

Te media also could highlight the dangers faced by the public.

A simple solution would be to fine car owners that disregard road safety and if abuses continue to disqualify ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ rogue drivers.