Daily News Editorial

Red light for VIP vehicles

03 December 2016

Traffic rules apply to everyone across the board, right? No, here in Sri Lanka, they don’t. They do not apply at all to so-called VIP vehicles and convoys which literally push other motorists out of the way, breaking every traffic rule in the process.

Getting rid of this maniacal culture was one of the promises of the Yahapalanaya Government and indeed, VIP drivers behaved reasonably well for a few months. However, with the passage of time this edict seems to have been forgotten and ministerial vehicles have resumed their usual antics – flashing the infamous red and blue dashboard light, flashing high beams, white-gloved men waving sticks and warning other motorists to keep away, running red lights, going in the opposite side of the road and generally creating mayhem on the roads. Other motorists and pedestrians have to watch in frustration while they make merry on the roads.

There was some logic for the use of back up vehicles and extra security personnel during the conflict period, when some VIPs were targeted by terrorists. Even then, some politicians who faced no threats at all used back up vehicles just for “show” and one of them paid the ultimate price because the terrorist thought his target, a high-profile minister, was approaching and detonated a claymore mine. Seven years after the guns fell silent, there is no justification whatsoever for ministers and other politicians to use back up vehicles and extra security cover. The only exceptions should be the President, the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader and the Forces Commanders whose security cannot be compromised at any cost.

President Maithripala Sirisena, who has set an example to others by reducing his own security cover, has listened to numerous public complaints on the behaviour of VIPs on the roads and given instructions to the IGP to report on such high-handed actions by politicians. The Police will have to track down the politicians who flout road rules with apparent impunity and report the same to the President.

This is a commendable step initiated by President Sirisena and we hope it will continue until these VIP antics stop. The politicians thus caught should be named and shamed so that the public will have a clear idea of who have been involved in reckless driving on our roads. This will hopefully tame their shameful road behaviour. While the public is definitely on the side of the Government vis-à-vis the Rs.25,000 traffic fines, there is a notion, not entirely misplaced, that these will be applied unequally. No policeman dares to stop a VIP, Security Forces or Police vehicle, regardless of the offence involved. This culture of “traffic impunity” should change at least now. The law must apply to all. Where possible, high-ranking police officers should also do some road duty, because lower rankers generally tremble in fear at the sight of aforementioned vehicles or even any big, luxury vehicle. On the other hand, an ASP or higher ranking officer will have a better ability to handle these difficult customers.

Speaking of luxury vehicles, we wonder whether it is possible to end our people’s representatives’ penchant for grandiose chariots with which they show their “power” to other road users. Social media sites were abuzz yesterday with pictures of a brand new Mercedes Benz S300 purportedly imported by a minister. Almost every night on the TV news telecasts, we see the luxury cars used by ministers and MPs, which invariably include vehicles such as the Toyota Land Cruiser Sahara and the Mercedes Benz GLS.

All these vehicles cost well over US$ 50,000 and we are informed that 223 Members out of 225 Members of Parliament have obtained the duty free car permit. It is common knowledge that they sell the permit to interested buyers at a premium. And in case they actually buy the vehicle for themselves, they have to pay just Rs.1,750 to clear it. This is grossly unfair, considering that the common man buying a vehicle has to pay duties and taxes that could be as much as 400 percent of the vehicle’s actual CIF value. According to the latest news items, MPs are in for more vehicle bonanzas.

The question here is, do our people’s representatives really need luxury vehicles to do an honest job of work? True, some MPs live in difficult and mountainous areas which a car may not be able to traverse. But does one really need an ultra-luxury Sahara to handle the hilly terrain? Every Japanese pickup truck worth its name will tackle any terrain you throw at it and in higher trims, they are almost as luxurious. Even if all the duties and taxes are paid, a luxury pickup truck will not cost more than Rs.9 million, which is a far cry from the Rs.35-40 million that a Sahara commands. No developed country provides luxury cars to ministers, some of whom even come to work by train or bus. It is time that we curb this luxury mania for good.