During last 24 hour (July 27) 10 deaths have been reported due to road traffic accidents in Sri Lanka. Most of victims were motorcycle riders & pillion riders. 6 motorcycle riders & pillion riders were among deaths. Also 3 pedestrians died due to road accidents last 24-hour. According to Sri Lanka Police statistics about seven to eight people die each day due to accidents. The total number of vehicles registered in the country recorded as 8.3 million and out that 60% listed as Motorcycles. In 2017 Sri Lanka’s motor vehicle population was 7.2 million. So far this year over 1300 persons died due to road traffic accidents.
Increase in Road Traffic 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.
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 !