A boy lit a ‘bambara chakraya’ and chucked it inside the shirt of another boy causing severe burn injuries to him, while in another instance, a man had thrown a glowing cigarette butt onto an old lady selling firecrackers in Pettah, setting all her wares on fire. The old lady and her son were rushed to the National Hospital with severe burn injuries.
 |
 |
| Dr. Prasad Ariyawansa iInsists on the need for awareness campaign on the dangers of firecrackers |
SSP Arasaratnam: Focus on drink driving |
These were some of the incidents during the festive season where victims received burn injuries.
NHSL Accident and Orthopaedic Service Deputy Director Dr. Prasad Ariyawansa told the Sunday Times that in comparison with last year, there was an increase in firecracker injuries this year.
“There was a decrease in injuries due to firecrackers about two years ago. But suddenly, it has increased, because there weren’t any promotions or campaigns recently. When the instances were less, the campaigns were very much reachable. But this time there wasn’t any concerted or focused campaigns,” he said.
The Sunday Times also learns that there were child victims with eye injuries due to firecrackers.
During the festive season, 12 victims were admitted due to firecracker injuries in 2011, while only 6 were admitted in 2010 for the same period.
The NHSL also experienced an increase in cases of OPD treatment and admissions between December 25 and January 1.
According to NHSL statistics, 590 victims of ‘seasonal hazards’ were admitted for in-house treatment in 2011 during the period- Dec.25-Jan.1, of which, 213 were due to violence, while 196 victims of violence were admitted for the corresponding period in 2010.
Meanwhile, according to police reports, 511 accidents took place during the seasonal period (Dec.25 to Jan.1) 2011, of which, 155 were major accidents and 305 minor accidents, with 51 fatalities.
The highest number of 83 accidents occurred on December 25, 2011.
Traffic Administration & Road Safety Director Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) K. Arasaratnam told the Sunday Times that this year the police had a special programme to detect drunk driving during the festive season.
“We placed traffic police officers all over on round-the-clock duty to ensure that motorists observed traffic and road rules,” he said.
He said that they were more focused on drunk driving this time, while last year’s successful operation was in place this year too.
“We have been very strict in our monitoring of drunk driving, especially during the festive season, with four instances being detected,” SSP Arasaratnam said. “However, when compared with the previous year’s statistics, accidents caused by drunk driving has reduced, as the police are very alert round the clock and strictly enforced the breathalyser tests, but other minor accidents have increased,” the SSP said.
 |
| A New Year day accident victim |
“Every citizen should be treated respectfully, they have their rights. Therefore, it is incorrect to force a person to undergo the breathalyzer test, without making certain whether the motorist has actually consumed liquor.
But depending on the smell and behaviour, if the officer is convinced that the suspect is under the influence of liquor, then the officer can request the suspect to use the breathalyser for verification,” he said.
The traffic police have also looked into the causes for the occurrence of accidents vis-à-vis frequency and the location, during the festive season, and taken remedial action as well. “We examine the “black spots” (accident prone), and implement remedial measures to prevent any further increase in numbers,” he said.
Commenting on the incidents on the southern highway, SSP Arasaratnam said that, from the beginning until recently, major accidents have not been reported, even during the festive season. “We have filed cases against errant motorists on the southern expressway, to ensure road discipline. In order to avoid major accidents, we increased our surveillance on the highway,” he said.
Staying alive with seat belts
According to police statistics, some 480 cases of non compliance with seat-belt rules were detected during the festive season.
In future, there may be a necessity to insist that passengers seated at the rear of the vehicles, too wear seat belts, to avoid major accidents and fatalities.
According to the gazette notification of August 9, 2011, with effect from October 4, 2011, motor vehicle drivers and their passengers seated next to them, must wear seat belts.
“Drivers and passengers in breach of this rule will be produced before the traffic courts and fined Rs 1,000. If the driver is detected breaking the law a second time, he/she will be fined Rs. 2,000, and Rs. 3,000, if it is for the third time in addition to the confiscation of his licence,” SSP Arasaratnam said.
He also said that heavy vehicles such as buses and lorries that are newly registered after October 1, 2011, will have to follow the seat belt rule.
“At the same time, there is a certain category of people mentioned in the gazette, who do not have to wear the seat belt.
Included in this category are patients, who, if they cannot wear a seat belt, should have a medical certificate. A person shorter that one metre, does not have to wear a seat belt. Drivers and passengers of hearses carrying caskets, do not have to use seat belts, as those vehicles are driven at very slow speeds,” he said.
“We are strict about seat belts, as it is implemented for the safety of travellers to shield them from severe injuries caused in case of an accident,” he added.
Commenting on the seat belt rule, he said that less people now argue with the police when caught not wearing it, while most travellers are concerned and are particular about wearing the belts. Therefore, there is a vast turn around of motorists becoming safety conscious, he said.
|
E-mail
