Ensuring accidents-free highways is paramount to road safety. To achieve this, it is imperative to eliminate the factors that lead to accidents and prioritize the safety of road users. A comprehensive approach involving a well-maintained network of motorable highways, an alert and courteous police force capable of coordinating traffic movements, and a civic-conscious public willing to cooperate with the authorities is essential to achieve this goal.
In the early 20th century, Sri Lanka predominantly consisted of villages, with agriculture being the primary livelihood. People led serene and peaceful lives, visiting towns occasionally during village festivals, Vesak celebrations, or the New Year. Their cautious approach to traveling and the limited number of vehicles on the road contributed to a low number of road accidents. The Highways Department managed the roadways, and the vehicles primarily served the transport of goods and the public. Cars, motorbikes, three-wheelers, and heavy vehicles were scarce.
However, with the transformation of Sri Lanka's economy from agriculture to a trade-based economy in the latter half of the 20th century, there was a significant shift in the lifestyle of the people. The emergence of industries such as tea, rubber, coconut, tourism, and hospitality, along with the Port of Colombo as a commercial hub, increased the per capita income and led to a mass migration of people from villages to towns. This migration created a constant flow of people traveling to towns daily for employment, business, and social needs, as most essential institutions and services were located in urban areas.
The rapid changes in society made it challenging for the state and other agencies to ensure road safety efficiently. The increase in road users necessitated effective maintenance of highways, proper lighting for night travel, a functional sewerage and drainage system to prevent road inundation during rainy seasons, and prompt garbage disposal to keep roads clean. Ensuring roadworthy passenger and goods transport was also crucial. Moreover, maintaining law and order on the roads was essential to ensure orderly behavior among motorists and pedestrians.
However, various challenges hamper the effort to achieve accident-free highways. Some officials responsible for providing essential services for road safety neglect their duties, and complaints against them often go ignored. This negligence contributes to the disruption of necessary activities. Additionally, reckless pedestrians and irresponsible motorists who disregard road ethics pose significant risks to road safety. Furthermore, the misuse of allocated funds by relevant state agencies and turning a blind eye to speeding motorists or overloaded public transport exacerbates the situation.
The responsibility for maintaining high standards in road safety falls on various stakeholders, including state organizations, public transport operators and their employees, individual motorists, and pedestrians. All must work together and prioritize the safety of road users over personal interests. Roads belong to the country and its citizens, and everyone must treat them with respect and care.
In conclusion, ensuring accidents-free highways is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration between state agencies, transport operators, motorists, and pedestrians. A comprehensive approach that addresses the maintenance of highways, traffic management, and enforcement of road safety regulations is vital to achieve this objective. By prioritizing road safety and adhering to road ethics, Sri Lanka can work towards accident-free highways and enhance the well-being of its citizens.