Road Safety Management (Sri Lankan Experience)

1. Road Safety Management (Sri Lankan Experience) Presented by J.M. Thilakarathna Banda Director – Planning Ministry of Transport - Sri Lanka May, 2011

2. Road safety In recent few decades, increasing trends of road traffic accidents in world wide has paved the way to nations to look into this issue severely. 1.3 mn - deaths annually (more than 3000 each day) 50% of these people are not travelling by a car 90% road traffic deaths occur in low and middle income countries. These countries claim less than 50% of registered vehicle fleet in the world RT injuries are among the three leading causes of deaths for people between 5 and 44 years of age. UN general assembly has declared 2011 -2020 as the decade of action for road safety (Date source: Global plan for the decade of action for road safety 2011-2020, UN)

3. To prevent RTA in a country, an adequately funded lead agency and a national plan or strategy with measurable targets are crucial. In view of the Global plan for the Decade of Action for road safety -2011 -2020, Some of effective interventions are as follows: Incorporating road safety features into land-use Urban planning and Transport planning Designing safer roads and requiring road safety audits for new construction projects Effective speed management by police and through the use of traffic –calming measures Setting and enforcing internationally harmonized laws requiring the use of seat belts, helmets and child restraints. Setting and enforcing blood alcohol concentration limits for drivers Improving post crash care for victims of road crashes Public awareness programs for supporting the enforcement of legislative measures

4. Sri Lanka – Transport sector profile at a glance Length of Highways in Sri Lanka 100,000 Km approximately Length of Rail lines 1449 KM No. of Motor vehicles registered in 2007 3,125,794 No. of motor vehicles operated 2.2 mn Annual growth rate of vehicles 6 - 8 % Classification 2 wheelers & 3 wheelers - 63% Motor cars - 12% Trucks - 8% Mini buses, Vans Less than 20 seats - 6% Buses - 3% Other vehicles - 8%

7. Market share of the public transport SLTB 20% (Expected 40%) Private Bus 37 % Train 04 Motor bike & three wheelers 14 Other private vehicles 25

8. Road Traffic Accidents – (Magnitude of the problem in Sri Lanka ) Some figures 2000 - 2009150 Accidents daily 21059 died (5-6 lost of lives daily) 179894 injured 45922 seriously injured Around 2300 people are killed annually Around 25000 people sustain non-fatal injuries annually Approximately 75% road accidents are due to human errors

9. Death by Road user category Drivers and riders 41%Pedestrians 33%Passengers 26%During Last 30 years (from 1977 to 2007)1,120,848 accidents were reported40,000 peoples died370,000 injured-out of which 68,440 seriously injured 1,000,000 vehicles damaged Data source: Ministry of Health

10. Factors Influencing Traffic Accidents in Sri Lanka • Increase of traffic • (59% road accidents occur in western province within a radius of 50 km from Colombo city center) • Unfavorable road conditions • Deficient systems and regulations • Errant driving • Errant pedestrians • Mechanical defects of vehicles

11. Road Safety Management in Sri Lanka • Institutional framework • Engineering solutions • Education & Public awareness

12. Road Safety Management - Institutional FrameworkTransport Policy- Road safety is a matter of great concern in Transport policy in Sri Lanka. Ministry of Transport -Involving with all matters pertaining to safe and reliable passenger transport service in the country is one of the main functions of the ministry. Hence road safety has been identified as a shared responsibility at national, regional, and local levels. National Road Safety Secretariat - To improve the road safety situation of Sri Lanka the Ministry of Transport and Highways established the National Road Safety Secretariat (NRSS) in 1966.

13. Legal Framework Traffic Act-Regulations published in the Government Gazette No.444/19 dated 13/03/1987 under Section 237 along with Section 164 of the Motor Traffic Act is the basis for providing traffic control devices at present. These regulations were gazetted to introduce necessary amendments to incorporate International Traffic Control Devices agreed upon for adoption at the UN Conference on “Road Traffic” held in VIENNA on 08/11/1968. The Traffic Control Devices that are being adopted in Sri Lanka are those that were agreed at the Convention for adoption in the Asian Region.

14. National Council for Road Safety - In 1999, the National Council for Road Safety (NCRS) was established as per Motor Traffic (Amendments) Act No. 05 of 1998. NRSC is operating since 2004.NCRS POLICIES(1) Road safety to be given political priority(2) Effective legislation to ensure maximum Road safety standards(3) Strict enforcement of Road safety regulations(4) Promote Road safety strategy for health promotion(5) Motor vehicles to meet with safety standards(6) Promote educational awareness and campaign program towards Road safety

15. Key participatory Stakeholders of NRSCMinistry of Transport Ministry of Highways Ministry of Education Ministry of Provincial Council and Local government Department of National planning Department of Motor Traffic Department of Police National Transport Commission University of Moratuwa Sri Lanka Transport Board Road Development Authority National Transport Medical Institute Urban Development Authority Colombo Municipal Council Insurance Board of Sri Lanka The Ceylon Society foe prevention accidents Automobile Association of Ceylon

16. Vision“SAFE ROAD FOR ALL”Mission“TO PROMOTE A SOCIEITY FREE OF ROAD ACCIDENTS”Objectives Interact with Government and Non Government agencies on the National Road Safety PolicyDevelop and Enact comprehensive regulations to prevent road accidentsTechnical and financial support to implement road safety policyThe coordination of activities with multi disciplinary organization to promote road safetyA procedure for the implementation of economically, technically and socially viable and environment friendly safety measures.

17. Maintain a data base on vehicle population with composition Traffic accidents Local and international statistics on road safetyMaintain a library on the subject of road safetyCollate information and conduct research and surveys on related subjects Assist researches on related subjectsLiaise with similar international institutions & share experience Main functions of NRSC

18. Road Safety Management – Engineering Solutions Adoption of proper Traffic Control Devices is crucially considered in Road Safety Management Guiding the road users and thereby improve safety and efficiency of highways. Enhancing the orderly movement of motorized, non-motorized, and pedestrian traffic. Maintain uniformity in application of traffic controlling measures. Development of Manuals on Traffic Control Devices for Sri Lanka Road Development Authority (RDA) of Sri Lanka has been focusing attention on the need for a manual of Traffic Signs and Markings since 1992. First Manual on Traffic Control Devices was published in 1997, which was in conformity with the stipulations given in the Vienna Convention. Revision was carried out to the above Manual in 1999 paying particular reference to the proposed expressways. Currently used Manual was published in 2003 through a continuous development process, whilst maintaining the original sequence of presentation and ensuring the provisions of the revised Vienna Convention of 1995.

19. Road Safety Audit is the main methodology adopted in Sri Lanka for Selection of appropriate safety measures and RSA are conducted - to examine the accident potential and safety performance of a new road projects - to identify safety deficiencies of an existing road, which are not consistent with the road’s function and useSafe roads for all road users - Improve the safety aspects of road design standard for new roads & effective improvements to existing roads - carry out safety audits and remedial actions for all existing roads to ensure minimum safety standard - Providing parking facilities at strategic locations - Parking managementRoad worthiness vehicles - Improve the standard for vehicle registrationEffective inspection program for the inspection of roadworthiness vehicles

20. Road Safety Management – Education and Public Awareness • Disciplined road users • Continuous training of road safety personnel • Educational programs at schools • Public awareness campaign • Improved standard for training of drivers and riders • Improve driving & riding skills

21. Success or failure ?with rapid increase of motor vehicle fleet and consequently alarming increase of RTA in recent few decades warns us , to rethink about RSM in the country • Commitment of authorities to ensure an effective road safety management • Revision on achieving a strong results focus through their institutional management • Clear identification of: a lead agency/department; the core group of Government ministries and agencies to be involved • The core groups’ roles and responsibilities defined • high-level strategic review of performance • definition of a long term safe system goal etc. • Long-term governmental ownership, leadership and political commitment.

22. For a better future…… There are further areas to formalize concerning institutional management functions such as; Coordination legislation funding and resource allocation promotion monitoring and evaluation and research and development and knowledge transfer etc. These functions should be delivered primarily by the government agencies producing interventions with civil society partnerships for successful results-focused intervention.

23. Parliament SELECT Committee SELECT Committee was appointed recently for look into the alarming increase of Traffic Accidents in Sri Lanka. The committee provided guidance for preparing a National road safety action plan was prepared.

24. National Action Plan For road SafetyAs per the guidance of the parliamentary Select committee National road safety action plan was prepared . In line with the Global plan for the Decade of Action for road safety -2011 -2020, Strategic actions were formulated stand on 5 pillars as follows:• Road safety Management• Safer road and mobility• Safer vehicles• Safer road users • Post crash responses

25. National Road Safety Conference – organized by the Ministry of Transport with the assistance of World Health Organization was held on 11th May 2011 in Colombo . The Conference was declared opened by His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka. UN decade of Road safety was launched officially in Sri Lanka at the conference by the His Excellency, the president.