Senior Police Media Spokesman, Senior DIG Ajith Rohana has stated that road accidents are also similar to terrorism.
Speaking to the media, he said the that there were 22,000 road accidents recorded last year due to this road terrorism. He further added that 2,470 people were killed and nearly 14,000 were injured due to these accidents.
The police spokesman further said that during the days where travel restrictions were imposed last year, 60 road accidents per day have been reported. 7 people have died due to road accidents in this period.
Pointing out these number, he went on to say that number of deaths due to road accidents is likely to increase this year.
“When we review data from insurance companies, it has come to light that about 500,000 road accidents take place per year in Sri Lanka” he said.
He added that the government had to spend around Rs. 36,500 million on people who died of road accidents in the last 10 years.
He said that reckless driving was the main cause of accidents and the loss of loved ones.
“In addition to arresting drivers who use alcohol, special operations will be launched to arrest drivers who use drugs. 8% to 10% of medical reports taken for renewal of driving licenses have revealed that they are addicted to alcohol” He said.
The Traffic Police is preparing to implement a special program in the next few months to reduce road accidents, the Senior DIG said.
“It should be kept in mind whatever position one holds, as long as you are driving a vehicle, you are a driver. Strict legal action will be taken against vehicles with special decorations, different lighting or horn patterns” Ajith Rohana said. (NewsWire)