News
National Road Safety Profile to curb road deaths
Accident on Dambulla- Anuradhapura Road last week
Sri Lanka will introduce a National Road Safety Profile (NRSP)– to give an insight into the spiraling number of accidents on our roads, and to help curb it.
National Road Safety Council (NRSC) Chairman, Sisira Kodagoda said discussions have been started with UN and WHO officials to draw up a plan to be adopted as an NRSP.
The moves come as traffic accidents and road deaths continue to rise, with 145 accidents and 151 deaths in the last 26 days, as per the latest traffic police statistics.
Last year, there were 2,961 accidents with an average of 7 road deaths every day. Of this, 1,172 involved motorcycles, 338 by lorries and 367 by threewheelers
Dangerous Drug Control Board (DDCB), Chairman, Ravindra Fernando also participated in the discussions, in view of the increasing number of drivers/riders being under the influence of drugs.
In 2016, around 3.7 million drivers were detected intoxicated by the breathalyzer test, while some were found under the influence of drugs, babul and betel chewing.
Driving under the influence of drugs is also becoming a major problem to contend with.
The NRSP will have details of all accidents to help determine accident prone zones/areas, reasons and action to be taken to prevent accidents.
It is also expected to indicate the number of persons receiving treatment in-house and in the OPD of hospitals, those who become disabled and of families driven below the poverty line because of the loss of the sole breadwinner.
“These information will help us take appropriate action to the problem,” Dr. Kodagoda said.
Meanwhile, DIG- Traffic, Palitha Fernando said that, as a preliminary step, a ban would be imposed on tinted shutters on the left and right sides of the front seats. “A tint of 20%-30% will be allowed from the top and the car should have 70% plain glass, so as to be visible,” he said.
DIG Fernando said the law, already in force, will help identify people inside the car, in cases of drunk driving and speeding, and vehicles that do not conform to the 70% visibility inside cars, will be stopped and asked to comply
To measure the height of the tint, Illuminator Meters(IM) will be used. At the moment there are two IMs- one with the traffic police and the other with the RMV. “We will get more IMs to enforce the rule countrywide, and have ordered around 50 by tender,” he said.
Stickers on the rear screen will not be allowed. Decorating the rear screen with stuffed toys will also be discouraged.
The law was introduced early in 2003 by gazette notification of 31.01 2003, but not strictly enforced .
Former DIG Traffic, Camilus Abeygunewardena said that, strengthening law enforcement is vital to reduce accident rates. He said the police should apply ‘overt and avert’ tactics to clamp down on errant drivers.
He said all traffic police officers be given motorcycles and walkie-talkies and backup reinforcements to chase speeding vehicles and nab hit-and-run cars.
“Such action will create a fear psychosis in drivers,” he said.
It is also important to have hi-tech backup cameras on black spots and open stretches where there is a tendency to speed.
Another area the police could score is the introduction of a points system for road rules violators. Under a Driver Improvement Program (DIP), drivers can be given points for serious to minor offences, with warnings to those on the verge of reaching the maximum point. Once they reach their set points, their licences should be suspended for a specified period. “Fear of losing their licences will be a good deterrent,” he said.
Some of the horrific road accidents reported by the police from January 16-27. 
Jan.16
Aluthgama- Cyclist Nakandala (58) killed when knocked from behind.
Vellaveli, Batticaloa- Two youths (19, 20) killed when their motorcycle veered off the road and hit a lamppost.
Wellawa, Hiripitiya- A motorcycle crashed at high speed, killing pillion rider (27).
Thalangama- A woman pillion rider (68) killed when hit from behind by a lorry.
Mirigama- A motorcyclist (24) overtaking a bowser crashed head-on with an oncoming motorcyclist. The overtaking rider was thrown off his bike and run over by the bowser.
Bangadeniya, Anamaduwa area- A motorcyclist (16) was killed when entering the main road from a by-road.
Avissawella-Yatyantota main road- A trishaw broke its axle causing the driver to lose control. An infant (14 months) was thrown out of the vehicle and crushed to death by an oncoming vehicle.
Jan.17
Maho- Woman (81) knocked down by a car and died in hospital.
Katana- A threewheeler veered off the road and hit a lamppost killing the driver. Three persons injured.
Polonnaruwa- Motorcyclist (41) killed, pillion rider seriously injured, when knocked down by a car.
Avissawella: Pedestrian killed by a cab.
Jan.18
Ratnapura- A threewheeler out of control hit a gate of a house killing driver (40) and injuring passenger.
Jan.23
Pasyala-Kandy Road- A tipper-truck crashed head-on with a bus killing two and injuring 35.
Jan.24
Polonnaruwa- A car out of control knocked down a traffic police officer on duty. A hit-and-run case.
Galgamuwa- A tipper-truck knocked a motorcycle head-on killing rider (35) and injuring pillion rider.
Jan.25
Mawathegama, Kandy-Kurunegala Road- Pedestrian (57) knocked down and killed by a motorcyclist.
Galgamuwa- Car knocks down and kills cyclist (64).
Kilinochchi- Teacher (52) killed by train while crossing unprotected railway crossing.
Jan.26
Colombo-Hatton main road- CPC bowser transporting diesel runs off the road leaking oil into the Mahaweli Ganga.
Jan.27
Dickoya- A lorry and a truck crash headon killing a woman and injuring two.