Pilot project to mail traffic tickets to personal addresses

Law and Order and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayaka said yesterday the Police would launch a pilot project in February to send traffic tickets to the personal addresses of traffic rule violators. 

The Minister, addressing the officers of the Police traffic unit, said the new technology would be introduced to assist the traffic police officers in their day-to-day work.

“We all know how they run into difficulties while doing their day-to-day work. Some even abuse police officers verbally when they try to take action on traffic rule violators. Their videos go viral on social media. All this can be avoided if we use modern technology for the benefit of traffic police officers who perform their duties despite many hardships,” the Minister explained.

The Minister added that a traffic ticket will also come with a photograph of the traffic rule violation as evidence and an explanation of the offence. “If the vehicle owner thinks he is not guilty, he can present his argument in court,” Ratnayaka said. 

“I also instructed the IGP to take necessary measures to pay an allowance to traffic police officers working under difficult conditions. A portion of the money we collect from fines can be allocated for this. I will present a Cabinet paper seeking approval in this regard,” the Minister said. 

The event was organised to give basic first aid training to traffic police officers. It was held with the support of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. 

The Minister said first aid training to Police officers would help reduce the number of deaths caused by road accidents on a daily basis. 

“Some deaths occur as those who take the victims of road accidents to hospitals use wrong methods. This happens mainly due to unawareness. That is why we decided to give basic first aid training to Police officers. Tuk-tuk drivers too will soon be given similar training,” Ratnayaka added.