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Alert over festive period road death risks from speeding and booze
View(s):By Nadia Fazlulhaq
If the government fails to strictly implement laws against road traffic violations, the coming festive period will see many lives lost, experts warn.
According to the police, 1,790 people have died in 17,965 road traffic accidents this year (up to October 15). Over 4,000 people have suffered severe injuries leading to disabilities, while 7,177 minor injuries and over 4,500 incidents of damage to property and vehicles have also been reported.
The highest death toll is among motorbike users (562), followed by pedestrians (556), passengers (204), and bicycle users (167). Drivers are at the bottom of the list of users, with 126 killed this year.
Motorbikes, dual-purpose vehicles, lorries, three-wheelers, and private buses were at the top of the list of vehicles involved in fatal crashes. This year, 38 hit-and-run incidents were also reported.
A five-year-old was killed and his father injured when their motorbike collided head-on with a vehicle in Kalpitiya. Pix by Padma Kumari Kankanamge
Among the recent deaths on the roads was of a young police officer killed by a reckless SUV driver who rammed the pond at the Independence Avenue roundabout and mowed down the officer on the spot.
A 24-year-old woman police constable died when her motorbike collided with a tipper truck in Galewela. A 10-year-old girl, who was to sit the Grade 5 scholarship examination, died on the spot when the motorbike driven by her mother hit a fuel tanker truck in Thalawa, Anuradhapura.
Last week, a five-year-old was killed and his father injured when their motorbike collided head-on with a vehicle in Kalpitiya.
A popular singer was also recently arrested and later released on bail for driving under the influence of liquor and crashing into barriers on the outer circular highway.
A World Bank report ‘Delivery Road Safety in Sri Lanka: Leadership Priorities and Initiatives to 2030′ states that Sri Lanka will require an additional investment of almost US$2 billion over the coming decade, if it is to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3.6 target of a 50% reduction in national road crash fatalities.
“Speed management is a vital safety priority in Sri Lanka, permeating all planning and policy considerations addressing infrastructure, vehicle, and road user safety issues. Agencies responsible for road safety in Sri Lanka are inadequately empowered and resourced to deal with escalating danger on their roads,” the report said.
The World Bank also recommends that the country deploy camera surveillance and monitoring systems on all national highways and motorways by 2025 and use enforcement equipment, including on provincial roads, by 2026.
Dr. Ruwan Thushara Matiwalage, convener of the Sri Lanka Medical Association’s expert committee on prevention of road traffic crashes, said tough enforcement is essential to prevent accidents from reaching uncontrollable levels.
“Traffic fatalities from speeding, recklessness, and driving under the influence can be reduced by strong enforcement of laws, while periodic inspections of vehicles are essential,” he said.
Dr. Matiwalage said the SLMA will host the International Road Safety Conference next month.
“We have invited President Wickremesinghe to the conference. The grave reality of road traffic accidents will be highlighted while preventive actions that need to be immediately implemented will be discussed,” he said.
The conference will also highlight the loss of young lives from road traffic accidents. About 200 children were killed in road accidents last year. This year, the number of child deaths has exceeded 100.
According to the National Council for Road Safety, most crashes occur during the festive months of April and December.
The council’s chairman, Malith Jayathilake, said it plans to get the authorities to be pro-actively involved in road safety and the prevention of accidents.
“We are currently getting the support of experts in economics from universities to compile the accurate financial loss due to road accidents. This will push decision-makers to consider accidents as a serious concern,” he said.
Last year, Rs. 9.7 million was paid as compensation for 41 hit-and-run deaths and Rs.7.4 million was paid as compensation to those critically injured from hit-and-run accidents.
| More traffic cops to check violations Police will assign more officers to road traffic duty next month to help contain fatal accidents during the festive season, spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said. “The coming weeks will see more officers deployed at night to detect speeding and drivers under the influence,” he said. The Sunday Times learns that the police do not have enough speed-detecting equipment, thermal cameras, breathalysers and test kits. “Reckless and drunk driving, fatigue and poorly maintained roads can lead to accidents during the upcoming pilgrimage and holiday season. Drivers need to be cautious and put safety first,” SSP Thalduwa said. | |
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