Archaic motor traffic rules need revision

Recently a youth committed suicide by jumping from an overhead bridge to the southern highway where he landed on a passing vehicle. Since this resulted in the death of this person the driver of the vehicle was promptly arrested by the police on the grounds of “failure to prevent an accident”. Isn’t this a gross unfair procedure adopted by the police? How can this innocent motorist prevent such an accident?

This kind of unfair, impractical and downright stupid law existing in our statute books should receive the immediate attention of our lawmakers.  There have been many similar incidents happening on our country’s roads almost every day. Years ago, a container truck driver parked his vehicle on the side of a road and a passing motorist hit this vehicle because of negligent driving. Police found this driver who parked his vehicle and arrested him for no fault of his. Similarly, there are drivers who fall asleep or drive under the influence of liquor hitting law-abiding drivers and even when the culprit driver is hospitalised, police arrest the innocent driver who could not have prevented such an accident. In this era where technological evidence from CCTV cameras is freely available, the police should be able to ascertain the circumstances of such accidents.  Hapless motorists should not be remanded as the current law dictates. There is no harm in irresponsible motorists causing accidents arrested for causing accidents but these innocent parties should not be hailed before courts.

Another archaic procedure followed by police is how they deal with traffic violations such as speeding or crossing the single lines on roads. Police issue a provisional ticket which has to be taken to the police station to get the proper ticket and then go to a post office to pay the fine. Again, the motorist has to go to the police station to collect the driver’s license. This cumbersome procedure can take several hours which the motorist has to spend in order to complete the entire procedure. Isn’t there a better procedure for the police department to follow to prevent such inconvenience to a motorist?  A better way for the police is to send the traffic fine to the Motor traffic department (RMV) so that it can be paid at the time of renewal of the revenue licence.

Although the Motor Traffic Ordinance was enacted way back in 1927 and certain amendments have been made later, this aspect has not received any attention. I hope that authorities take appropriate measures to remedy such archaic practices currently enforced by the police.

Oliver Ileperuma