Reckless driving and speeding—oh no, don’t even think about blaming the private bus drivers. After all, they’re not hurtling through traffic at breakneck speed for fun. No, no—they’re selflessly ensuring their passengers make it to work on time, sparing them from the soul-crushing agony of wasted minutes stuck on the road.
But wait—why do these same speed demons sometimes sit idle at bus stops for 15 to 30 minutes? Ah, that’s their humanitarian streak kicking in. They’re simply ensuring no passenger is left behind. You may think of them as the public transport equivalent of the American military—except instead of “no soldier left behind,” it’s “no passenger left stranded,” even if it means sacrificing the concept of a schedule.
Speeding and overtaking
Speeding and overtaking are just another day on roads, where some private bus drivers turn the asphalt into their personal racetrack. Call it the Peoplised Bus Grand Prix, where buses barrel down streets in heated competition to claim the ultimate prize: bragging rights, economic targets, and, of course, proving “who is boss” on their respective turf.
Each province seems to have its own unique “bus culture” endemic to its A-to-B-grade roads, where drivers speed not just for the thrill but because, apparently, dominance must be asserted. After all, how else would you know which bus reigns supreme if they didn’t hurtle past you with horns blaring?
Traffic and Road Safety Director Manoj Ranagala aptly described these reckless antics as “bus competitions,” noting that private and public buses often treat the roads as their battleground.
Unfortunately, this competitive spirit comes with a tragic cost—road traffic fatalities. For some, it’s about meeting economic targets, but for others, it’s about sheer ego. Either way, the passengers—and pedestrians—are left caught in the crossfire.
During the first week of the New Year, Ranagala said from January 1 to 7, alone 28 persons were killed on roads in 25 fatal road accidents.
Grim milestone
Road accidents in the country continue to claim lives at an alarming rate, with pedestrians disproportionately paying the price. Last year, in 2024, 2,368 lives were lost in 2,262 fatal road accidents—a grim milestone that includes a record 838 pedestrian deaths, marking the highest number of pedestrian fatalities in recent years.
The trend shows no sign of slowing down. In 2023, 2,557 people were killed in 2,200 traffic accidents. Meanwhile, from January 1 to October 25, 2024, 1,898 fatalities were recorded in 1,818 fatal accidents. Among them, 676 pedestrians accounted for nearly 36 percent of total road deaths during this period.
These grim statistics are more than just numbers; they reveal the daily dangers faced not only by pedestrians but also by those who rely on public and private transport. Commuters and bus drivers, it seems, are not spared from the chaos of Sri Lanka’s roads. Private buses, often infamous for their reckless driving, were responsible for 168 deaths last year. In addition, they left 379 people with serious injuries, many of whom, as Traffic and Road Safety Director Manoj Ranagala noted, suffered life-changing outcomes such as the loss of an arm or a leg.
Even the Sri Lanka Central Transport Board (SLCTB) buses, supposedly the safer alternative, had their share of blame. These public buses recorded 54 fatalities on the roads last year, along with causing serious injuries to 125 persons.
The nation was left grieving after the tragic bus accident near Badulla on November 1, which claimed the lives of two female university students from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), both just 23- years- old. The bus, carrying over 40 passengers on a field trip, skidded off the steep, winding Dunhinda access road and overturned. The cause? Reckless speeding with the driver losing control at the wheel.
Initially, the accident’s toll stood at two young women who succumbed to severe head injuries. Tragically, on November 23, the death toll rose to three when a 24-year-old male student also succumbed to his injuries. In total, 39 others were injured, many critically, highlighting yet again the devastating consequences of poor road safety and driver negligence.
Across the country, 166 drivers lost their lives in road accidents last year, highlighting the widespread risks for those behind the wheel.
Yet, amid the grim statistics, one silver lining emerges: a significant decline in hit-and-run cases. Once a concerning trend, these incidents have seen a steady drop in the past five years. Police reports reveal that hit-and-runs, which stood at 214 in 2020, surged to 284 in 2021 before gradually declining—280 in 2022, 168 in 2023, and finally plummeting to just 63 in 2024.
While this decline offers a glimmer of hope, it’s a small consolation against the broader crisis of reckless driving, where the cost of carelessness is measured in shattered lives and broken families When it comes to assigning blame for the alarming number of fatal road accidents, private bus drivers are often the usual suspects. However, contrary to popular belief, they don’t actually top the list of offenders. Surprising, isn’t it? Perhaps it’s time to give credit where credit is due—these drivers, for all their daredevil antics, must be commended for their “skillful” navigation of roads.
But don’t pop the champagne cork just yet. It remains to be seen whether this skill can evolve into true decency and responsibility. The government’s ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative is taking steps to improve public transport services, and with it, perhaps we’ll witness a transformation in the public bus sector—one where safety and professionalism replace recklessness and competition.
Motorcycles, lorries, three-wheelers, and dual-purpose vehicles—those weighing between 3,500 kilograms and 17,000 kilograms—have topped the list of fatal road accidents in 2024, according to data released by authorities.
Motorcyclists accounted for the highest number of fatalities, with 732 deaths recorded from 802 accidents, Traffic and Road Safety Director Manoj Ranagala revealed. Additionally, 156 pillion riders lost their lives in these incidents. Many of these accidents occurred while overtaking other vehicles or accessing main roads from byroads. Alarmingly, alcohol consumption was found to be a contributing factor in several cases. Three-wheelers were responsible for 256 road accidents,
Mobile phone use, a growing concern
The use of mobile phones while driving has been identified as a significant contributor to road accidents. Although comprehensive national statistics on this issue are limited, police have noted its prevalence, particularly in the Colombo and Galle districts, where it is a common traffic offense.
“The distraction caused by mobile phones is a growing concern for road safety,” said the police. Research shows that even hands-free devices are not significantly safer than handheld phones, as they still divert attention from driving tasks.
To combat this issue, initiatives like the “Don’t Drive Blind!” campaign have been introduced to educate drivers about the dangers of mobile phone use while driving. The campaign emphasises the importance of maintaining focus on the road and promotes safer driving habits.
The Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) has also launched road safety campaigns highlighting the risks associated with mobile phone use. These efforts aim to encourage attentive driving and reduce accidents caused by distractions.
Tech-driven solutions for safer roads
In a bid to enhance road safety and reduce traffic violations, Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya launched the e-Traffic mobile application on January 1 at the Colombo Police Headquarters. This initiative aligns with the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ campaign and leverages technology to promote safer roads.
The e-Traffic app allows the public to report traffic violations and related incidents in real time. Users can upload photos or videos of offenses using the app’s camera and video options. These submissions are forwarded directly to Police Headquarters for immediate action, enabling swift responses from authorities.
Traffic officers at 607 police stations across the island have been mobilised to act on complaints submitted through the app, marking a significant step towards improving accountability and road safety nationwide.
