1 in 4 motorists responsible for accidents lack driver's license

One in every four motorists involved in road accidents did not possess a valid driver's license, it was revealed in Parliament today. 

Some 23 per cent of motorists involved in road accidents did not possess a valid driver's license, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. Speaking in Parliament during the debate on the Regulations under the Motor Traffic Act this afternoon, he further said that according to statistics provided by police 49 per cent of those motorists who were found not to be in possession of a driver's license were motorcyclists while 14 per cent were lorry drivers and 11 per cent were van drivers. 

One person dies every three hours in Sri Lanka due to a road accident, Dr. Jayatissa informed. 

The MP criticised the State and the Police for being more interested in collecting fines from errant motorists rather than acting to prevent road accidents. He cited that police officers were routinely positioned out of sight of motorists so as to catch errant drivers and impose fines. This however, was not an effective method for reducing accidents, but merely an excercise to increase the coffers of the Treasury, he pointed out. 

MPs also debated the proposed increase on traffic fines today. 

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