Need for national transport safety institute

This has reference to the recent X-PRESS PEARL accident and other transport incidents/accidents in our fair isle.

If we take our minds back to all the major transport incidents/accidents in Ceylon/Sri Lanka, we have always been ‘reactive’ towards transport accidents, be it Road/Highway, Rail, Marine or Air. Could they have been prevented if safety measures were in place before the unfortunate events occurred?

The need of the day is to have a qualified Council/Board whose actions will be ‘Predictive. Proactive and Preventive’ with respect to transportation incidents/accidents. This organisation shall address ‘Safety’ 24/7. Obviously, prevention is better than cure!

The said Council/ Board will consist of experts from all modes of transportation, who will promulgate and implement rules and regulations to strictly ensure safety of a multimodal transportation system within the country.

If an incident/accident occurs, the said Council/Board will carry out independent inquiries into the incident, and produce unbiased public reports with suggestions to modify the system safety.

The report will only be on the circumstances and the series of events which led to such an incident/accident, and will not attempt to apportion the blame on any organisation or individual.

However, if an element of negligence is highlighted, then and only then, shall legal action be contemplated on.

Think about it.

GUWAN SEEYA