Online edition of Sunday Observer - Features: "by M. V. Noel de Silva
It is reported that new 'Townships' are to be constructed to replace those devastated by the tsunami. Taking into consideration practical realities, I would humbly make the following suggestions as a 'feed-back'.
(a) The roads in the new towns should be constructed as presently as at Kalutara where there are very few or no traffic blocks and very rare accidents.
The main reason is the presence of 3 roads.
(i) A main centre road where parking is prohibited thus enabling vehicles to pass through the town easily without any hindrance.
(ii) The adjacent roads on either side of the main centre road for the daily use of the people of the area.
(iii) Buildings are on the outer side of the outer roads.
This is very practical, especially where expressways pass through towns.
(b) I would also suggest the construction of cycle lanes along all main roads in the country. With the transport problem aggravating with even pregnant mothers and schoolgirls hanging precariously on the footboard of overcrowded buses and the cost of travelling escalating frequently, many office workers and schoolchildren including girls would prefer to cycle if only their lives are safe on the roads.
Many forego a meal or even two in order to pay the daily bus fare. Thus many would love to cycle even as an exercise if the roads are made safe for them.Cycle lanes should be constructed during the construction of all new roads and they should be separated from the main roads with "kerb stones" to prevent trishaws and motor cycles crossing over. Cycle lanes should also be thus separated from all existing main roads.
Since the vast number of accidents reported are that of cyclists, I am sure that cycle lanes, apart from being a boon to the poor, would also drastically reduce the number of accidents reported.
(c) All pedestrian crossings should be on a slightly elevated ground as at the entrance to the Moratuwa University. This prevents vehicles from speeding through and also does not inconvenience the drivers because the vehicles need only to be slowed down and not stopped unless necessary.
Humps should be constructed at all main pedestrian crossings in the towns and at the entrance to schools.
"Speed-breakers" not necessarily as high as humps, should be constructed at all main junctions so that "incompetent maniacs" at the wheels would not be inclined to out-smart the other by speeding at junctions. Many accidents occur at junctions even where there are traffic lights because everyone is trying to beat the other at the "Amber light". I am sure that "Speed-breakers" would prevent such a mad hurry.
If pedestrian crossings as suggested are on a slightly elevated ground or accompanied by either a "Speed-breaker" or hump, pedestrians could step on to the crossings with confidence. Accidents at crossings too would be drastically reduced.
Any minor inconvenience caused should be considered in the light of the number of lives that could be saved and the number of accidents prevented.
As in the area of "Preventive Medicine" where Medical Officers suggest preventive measures, the Traffic Police too should suggest accident preventive measures to prevent all road accidents in general and pedestrian crossing accidents in particular apart from taking action after accidents have occurred.
Those who do not obey the law should be compelled to do so for the good of the majority.
Very unfortunately those who matter, the ones who make the decisive decisions are all private vehicle owners who themselves would love to fly past pedestrian crossings without changing a gear even at the expense of pedestrians. Even when an innocent schoolchild is killed, at the 'heat of the moment', a temporary action is taken and later withdrawn to satisfy the needs of selfish and self-centered bureaucrats and VVIP's.
The poor pedestrian is always the loser. It is only when a close relative of a VVIP is a victim that a permanent solution to pedestrian crossings would be focused. Will at least one kind soul be sincerely concerned about pedestrians."
It is reported that new 'Townships' are to be constructed to replace those devastated by the tsunami. Taking into consideration practical realities, I would humbly make the following suggestions as a 'feed-back'.
(a) The roads in the new towns should be constructed as presently as at Kalutara where there are very few or no traffic blocks and very rare accidents.
The main reason is the presence of 3 roads.
(i) A main centre road where parking is prohibited thus enabling vehicles to pass through the town easily without any hindrance.
(ii) The adjacent roads on either side of the main centre road for the daily use of the people of the area.
(iii) Buildings are on the outer side of the outer roads.
This is very practical, especially where expressways pass through towns.
(b) I would also suggest the construction of cycle lanes along all main roads in the country. With the transport problem aggravating with even pregnant mothers and schoolgirls hanging precariously on the footboard of overcrowded buses and the cost of travelling escalating frequently, many office workers and schoolchildren including girls would prefer to cycle if only their lives are safe on the roads.
Many forego a meal or even two in order to pay the daily bus fare. Thus many would love to cycle even as an exercise if the roads are made safe for them.Cycle lanes should be constructed during the construction of all new roads and they should be separated from the main roads with "kerb stones" to prevent trishaws and motor cycles crossing over. Cycle lanes should also be thus separated from all existing main roads.
Since the vast number of accidents reported are that of cyclists, I am sure that cycle lanes, apart from being a boon to the poor, would also drastically reduce the number of accidents reported.
(c) All pedestrian crossings should be on a slightly elevated ground as at the entrance to the Moratuwa University. This prevents vehicles from speeding through and also does not inconvenience the drivers because the vehicles need only to be slowed down and not stopped unless necessary.
Humps should be constructed at all main pedestrian crossings in the towns and at the entrance to schools.
"Speed-breakers" not necessarily as high as humps, should be constructed at all main junctions so that "incompetent maniacs" at the wheels would not be inclined to out-smart the other by speeding at junctions. Many accidents occur at junctions even where there are traffic lights because everyone is trying to beat the other at the "Amber light". I am sure that "Speed-breakers" would prevent such a mad hurry.
If pedestrian crossings as suggested are on a slightly elevated ground or accompanied by either a "Speed-breaker" or hump, pedestrians could step on to the crossings with confidence. Accidents at crossings too would be drastically reduced.
Any minor inconvenience caused should be considered in the light of the number of lives that could be saved and the number of accidents prevented.
As in the area of "Preventive Medicine" where Medical Officers suggest preventive measures, the Traffic Police too should suggest accident preventive measures to prevent all road accidents in general and pedestrian crossing accidents in particular apart from taking action after accidents have occurred.
Those who do not obey the law should be compelled to do so for the good of the majority.
Very unfortunately those who matter, the ones who make the decisive decisions are all private vehicle owners who themselves would love to fly past pedestrian crossings without changing a gear even at the expense of pedestrians. Even when an innocent schoolchild is killed, at the 'heat of the moment', a temporary action is taken and later withdrawn to satisfy the needs of selfish and self-centered bureaucrats and VVIP's.
The poor pedestrian is always the loser. It is only when a close relative of a VVIP is a victim that a permanent solution to pedestrian crossings would be focused. Will at least one kind soul be sincerely concerned about pedestrians."
