Sri Lanka plans to implement artificial intelligence to monitor bus drivers and will mandate the use of seat belts on public transport starting in June. This announcement follows the tragic death of 23 people in the country’s deadliest bus accident in two decades.
Roads in South Asia rank among the most perilous globally, with an average of about 3,000 fatalities annually.
Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake shared that, beginning next year, buses will feature a driver surveillance system to foster a safer driving culture. This initiative also aims to enhance driver education regarding safety standards.
The significant accident occurred when an overcrowded bus, carrying around 77 passengers—approximately 20 more than its capacity—plummeted down a cliff while transporting Buddhist pilgrims.
As for what led to this disaster in Kotomale’s hilly region, the investigation is ongoing, but it’s noted that two passengers have succumbed to their injuries, increasing the death toll to 23. Meanwhile, 54 others were hospitalized, with initial inquiries revealing no direct evidence of driver negligence.
Interestingly, another driver had reported problems with the bus’s steering the day before the incident, although management stated it had been inspected.
This catastrophic crash is recorded as the most lethal in Sri Lanka since April 2005. A previous tragedy in March 2021 saw 14 individuals, including a bus driver, lose their lives in a similar incident in Passala, located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the recent crash site.
