During last 24 hour (June 20) 4 deaths have been reported due to road traffic accidents in Sri Lanka. On June 15th there were 5 deaths and 45 injuries due to road traffic accidents. This is the second highest death count in a single day during travel restrictions. Most of victims were motorcycle riders and pillion riders.
Police spokesman DIG Rohana said that about 10 to 15 people were killed in road accidents every day during April month and that the number could be as high as 3,650 a year. Earlier it was 6 or 7 deaths and more than 80 persons suffer minor to moderate and severe injuries due to road traffic accidents. The police spokesman said it is possible to save those lives and requested the motorists to drive in strict accordance with the rules of the road and to drive carefully and attentively on the road.
According to the current statistics, most deaths are in the economically active age group of 18 to 45, which includes not only drivers but also passengers and pedestrians. Another identified factor is that three-wheelers, motorcycles and passenger transport buses are the highest involved vehicle categories in road accidents.
According to the statistics of the Department of Motor Traffic, the total number of vehicles of all types (from scooters to buses) registered so far is over 8.3 million, and over 6.5 million of them are using the roads almost daily. According to international estimates, about 400 vehicles are used for every 1,000 citizens in Sri Lanka, and it is a vast number compared with even developed countries. There are more vehicles exceeding our road capacity. This is a major reason for the increased number of road accidents.
Increase in Road Accidents in Sri Lanka.
* A road Accident in Sri Lanka every 10 minutes.
* Daily 8 Persons killed in Road Accidents.
* Every 3 days, Child dies of Road Accidents.
* Every 5 days, Person dies on Pedestrian Crossing.
* April month considered the highest number of road accidents reporting Month in Sri Lanka
* April 10th to 20th considered the highest number of road accidents reporting dates in Sri Lanka
Reasons for Accidents
* Recklessness of the Driver
* Negligence of the Driver
* In-disciplined driving
* Lack of knowledge on road rules and regulation, road conditions, weather conditions, conditions of the vehicle, knowledge regarding apparatus, controls, equipment
* Fatigue or stress
* Road infrastructure defects
* Lack of driving experience and skills
* Driving under the influence of alcohol
* Failure to check power
* Excessive speeding
* Not wearing the safety belt
* Pedestrians not following road rules
* Jumping colour lights
* Driving after taking medication
* Unsatisfactory enforcement by some Police officer
Recommendations to prevent accidents
- To educate people on traffic safety
- Safe driving programmes to be conducted for drivers / riders and also conductors to be educated on safety
- Road infrastructure defects to be identified and rectified
- Disciplined driving method to be taught, examine driving knowledge skills and also the knowledge of rules and regulations and medical fitness before issuance of driving and riding licence
- Identified risk drivers and to cancel/ suspend / their licences by judiciary or by demerits systems
- To increase insurance premium of risk drivers
- Deterrent punishment for offenders committing fatal, grievous and serious accidents
- Renewal of driving licence every 3 years having rechecked the knowledge on rules and regulations, health and driving skills and driving records.
- To include traffic road safety as a major in school curriculum
- To have special driving programmes for school leavers
- Advance traffic management and road safety centres on mobile for education / enforcement purpose on highways.
- Improved enforcement by police and other agencies more moving violations to be detected.
DRIVE . RIDE AND CORSS SAFELY !
