Sri Lanka Police has warned motorists against parking at designated bus stops, citing safety concerns for passengers and the need to maintain traffic flow. The force has instructed police stations nationwide to enforce parking restrictions around bus stops.
Sri Lanka Police has issued a formal warning to motorists about the dangers of parking or stopping vehicles at designated bus stops, emphasizing the risks this creates for public transport users and overall traffic conditions. According to police, buses are frequently forced to halt in active traffic lanes when their designated stops are occupied by other vehicles, creating bottlenecks and compromising passenger safety.
The warning takes on particular importance given the recent introduction of wheelchair-accessible bus services for people with disabilities. Police highlighted that obstructed bus stops place disabled passengers and others in vulnerable positions when boarding or exiting vehicles. The authority cited a Government Gazette notification that establishes specific parking prohibitions: vehicles cannot be parked within 30 meters of a standard bus stop or within 15 meters of its exit. For bus stops featuring dedicated bus bays, the restrictions are more stringent, prohibiting parking within 15 meters of the stop and 10 meters of its exit.
Police have instructed all stations across the country to enforce these regulations through legal action against offending drivers. The crackdown aims to ensure that public transport buses can access their designated stopping points reliably, enable passengers to board and alight safely, and reduce unnecessary traffic congestion in urban areas.
