Sri Lanka is taking a drastic step to curb its alarming road accident rate, which claims around 3,000 lives annually. The government has announced plans to install AI-powered monitoring systems in all public buses starting next year, with plans to expand to long-distance trucks later. This move comes after a devastating bus crash on Sunday killed 23 people, making it one of the worst accidents in two decades.
Behind the Crash
The bus, carrying 77 passengers – 20 more than its capacity – was on a pilgrimage when it plunged into a deep gorge in the hilly town of Kattmale. The crash left 54 people injured. Initial investigations haven’t pinpointed the cause, but a driver reportedly flagged issues with the steering wheel a day before the accident. The management claimed to have fixed the problem, but it’s unclear if this contributed to the crash.
Sri Lanka’s roads are considered among the most hazardous globally. The latest tragedy follows a similar incident in March 2021, where a bus crash in Passara, about 100 kilometers away, killed 14 people, including the driver.
Tackling Road Safety
Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake said the new AI system will monitor driver behavior, aiming to foster a better driving culture and improve road safety standards. From June, passengers on public buses will also be required to wear seatbelts. The minister’s announcement comes as the country grapples with its high road fatality rate.
The government’s push for AI monitoring is a significant step towards making Sri Lanka’s roads safer. With its notoriously high accident rate, the country needs innovative solutions to address this pressing issue.