Yesterday, Sri Lanka received yet another wakeup call about the appalling state of public transport safety in the island. While many, including some in the new Government express shock and frustration, we are yet to see the fast-moving policy changes which were promised on the campaign trail about how the new Government will handle public interest issues. Reports of a collision involving three buses at Angulugaha Junction in Imaduwa, Galle, which left at least 29 passengers injured and in need of hospitalisation flashed on the news. The incident occurred yesterday morning and involved two private buses and one office transport bus. Reports indicate that the accident occurred when one bus was stationary, and another crashed into it from behind, followed by a third bus crashing into the second one. According to hospital sources, 23 passengers have been admitted to Imaduwa Hospital, while six others are receiving treatment at Karapitiya Hospital. As usual, authorities announced that they are conducting further investigations into the incident.

Last week, a private passenger bus travelling from Kattankudy to Colombo was involved in an accident in front of the Kallar Army camp in the Serunuwara area on the Serunuwara-Kantale road. Police said that the accident occurred when the bus veered off the road due to heavy rain, hit a tree on the side of the road, and toppled. There were about 49 passengers onboard, and 14 passengers, as well as the bus driver and conductor, were admitted to the Serunuwara Divisional Hospital for treatment. Later, the driver and nine passengers were transferred to the Trincomalee District General Hospital for further treatment. Each week, Sri Lankans are reminded of the horrors of our mismanaged public transport system, and the cost in lives and limbs we pay each year on them.

Last year,a bus accident in Badulla that claimed two lives and left around 40 injured has attracted the attention of both the authorities and the public, and the probes are in progress to find out whether the accident was a result of a technical issue or a human error. The incident involved a bus carrying a group of students of the Southern Campus of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. 

Sri Lanka's public transport system is a lifeline for millions struggling to survive the economic crisis, trades, and the much-needed tourism sector. However, the rising toll of road accidents highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive National Public Transport Safety Policy. Implementing such a policy is crucial for reducing accidents and fostering a culture of road safety across the country.

Road safety in Sri Lanka is a growing concern with various reports claiming that approximately 12,000 to 15,000 road accidents occur a year. Although the authorities have from time to time introduced various programmes to improve road safety, the share of the vehicles that are covered through these programmes is a concern. With statistics showing thousands of accidents annually, the need for systematic interventions that go beyond merely issuing warnings and imposing laws and regulations, is clear. A national safety policy would provide a structured framework to analyse and address the root causes of these incidents, and by employing data-driven approaches, Sri Lanka could adopt best practices from successful transport systems worldwide.

A robust safety policy would begin with rigorous data collection and analysis. Currently, many road accidents go under-reported or are inadequately investigated, which at times is a result of people tending to overlook minor road accidents as unimportant. Establishing a national database for traffic incidents would enable authorities to identify patterns, high-risk areas, and contributing factors, and this information can inform targeted interventions, such as infrastructure improvements, better traffic management, and focused public awareness campaigns. Furthermore, a national policy would emphasise the importance of and support driver training and public awareness, without which no plan can be successful. For a country like Sri Lanka where warnings and instructions are easily taken lightly, however, more innovative approaches need to be employed. Be it social media or another form, such efforts should be effective rather than attractive. Buses, both in the private and public streams, should take a special role in this discussion.

One of the most crucial issues that should receive the authorities’ attention is bus drivers’ wellbeing. According to private bus drivers/owners, at present, private bus drivers that travel long routes do not have adequate facilities to rest and maintain hygiene, and it is an issue that has persisted for a long time. Ensuring that public transport operators undergo effective training programmes and are provided with adequate facilities can significantly reduce accidents caused by human error. This policy could mandate regular assessments and refreshers to keep drivers updated on best practices and safety regulations.