Road accidents and road safety related issues have risen up tremendously recent years in Sri Lanka and it is timely requirement to take necessary actions to enhance the road safety by all stake holders. The Chartered Institute of Logistics (CILT) Sri Lanka, together with Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS), conducted a Workshop on Road Safety, with the participation of eminent professionals in the field on 12th March 2019 at the SLAAS Auditorium. The workshop was aimed at Professionals in government and private institutes in Sri Lanka, University students, school teachers and children and general public. The key messages taken up by speakers are,
Prof. Saman Bandara, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, covered evaluation of road safety interventions in Sri Lanka. In his talk he compared reactive and proactive approaches available for road safety, identification and analysis of factors affecting road accidents, current situation in implementation of projects and programs, decade of Action for Road Safety and Five pillars of UN initiatives namely,
- Build road safety management capacity
- Influence safety road design and network management
- Influence vehicle safety design
- Influence road user behavior
- Improving Post Crash Care
Importance of road accident data quality is one of vital factors for research and development and in decision-making and this topic was covered byDr. H R Pasindu, Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa. Six core quality characteristics of accident data, integrating road safety audit information and accident data, best practices in accident data systems and Sri Lanka Accident Data Management System were highlighted in his presentation.
Protecting children from road accidents, were discussed extensively by Dr. Ishani Dias, Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University at the workshop.
She spoke about ten strategies for keeping children safe from road accidents as follows,
- Controlling speed
- Reducing drinking and driving
- Using helmets for bicyclists and motorcyclists
- Restraining children in vehicles
- Improving children’s ability to see and be seen
- Enhancing road infrastructure
- Adapting vehicle design
- Reducing risks for young drivers
- Providing appropriate care for injured children
- Supervising children around roads
DIG Ajith Rohana, spoke on Citizen’s Responsibility to Ensure Road Safety with facts on road accidents, reasons for traffic congestions or restriction of public movements, responsibility of stake holders,upcoming policy changes and new strategies to ensure road safety in Sri Lanka.
The workshop was followed by a panel dicussion modearetd by Dr. Namali Sirisoma,Vice Chairperson, CILT Sri Lanka.
Judging by the packed audience and their engagement during the panel discussion showed the importance of this topic and CILT and SLAAS Section C wowed to continue this dialogue among the general public to create awareness on road safety interventions to minimize this big problem in the country.
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport is a leading global professional body associated with the logistics, transport and supply chain industry. The Institute holds unparalleled international recognition and works towards achieving its objectives of promoting and encouraging the art and science of logistics and transport through its membership and its educational qualifications. With a global membership of over 35,000 in 35 countries across the globe, CILT provides a professional identity to those in the ever expanding logistics and transport sector. It is a strong, active and a unified professional association that is able to speak with authority on strategic issues affecting businesses and people in the industry and support their careers.
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