The Head of Expressway Traffic Police SSP Chintaka Gunaratne has been instructed to find ways to minimize accidents on expressways in Sri Lanka.
The directive has been issued by the Chief Government Whip and Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando.
The Ministry of Highways said as per the directive SSP Chintaka Gunaratne has been ordered to find ways and means to minimize drunk driving, reckless driving, and driving without wearing seatbelts in the expressways.
He has received the directive as the number of fatal accidents on expressways was on the rise.
The Ministry said except for driver fatigue the most fatal accidents in the expressways have been caused by drunk driving, reckless driving, not wearing seat belts, and using mobile phones while driving.
As per the Ministry, Minister Johnston Fernando has pointed out that the Police could take actions to minimize these causes thereby contributing to bringing down the number of traffic accidents there.
Addressing a meeting held at the Ministry auditorium with police officers and men stationed at the Expressway Operations and Maintenance Units, the Minister said that the number of fatal accidents reported in the expressways has increased during recent times.
There had been seven fatal accidents at Pinnaduwa, Aparekka, Kurundugahahetakma, Angunakolapelessa, Aturugiriya and Gelanigama claiming six lives in 2021.
The total number of accidents reported in expressways in 2021 was 461 in comparison to the 308 accidents that were reported in 2020.
There had been five fatal accidents in expressways in 2020 where five persons were killed, he said.
Responding to the Minister, the Police officers pointed out that in 2021, they had filed 79,904 cases against traffic offenders caught at the expressways.
The offences included drunk driving, reckless and dangerous driving, violating speed limits, driving without wearing seatbelts, using mobile phones while driving and driving without proper Vehicle Revenue Licences, etc.
They further pointed out that the corresponding figure for the year 2020 was 66,252. (NewsWire)