An islandwide special Police operation is to be launched from August 01 to apprehend persons driving under the influence of illegal substances.
During a recent special operation conducted in the Western Province, 41 drivers were identified to have driven under the influence of illegal substances, out of which 19 were bus drivers.
The Police suspect a majority of accidents in Sri Lanka have been found to be caused by persons driving under the influence of illegal substances, adding that a significant increase has also been observed in the number of accidents being reported in the country.
A total of 2,370 persons had died in 23,704 accidents reported in 2020. However, 2,559 individuals died in 22,847 accidents in 2021. In the year 2022, a total of 2,536 persons died in 21,992 accidents.
A total of 1,043 persons have died in 8.875 accidents that were reported from 1st January until 18th June this year (2023).
The Police stated that even though there were measures to identify drinking and driving they did not have modes to identify those driving under the influence of illegal substances.
However, now as the necessary measures are available the government has launched special operations to apprehend those driving under the influence of illegal substances.
A special operation was conducted in the Western Province from June 12 to identify those driving under the influence of illegal substances during which 1,781 individuals had been inspected and 41 drivers were arrested.
Among the arrested drivers, 09 were three-wheeler drivers and 13 were motorcyclists. Seven drivers who had pleaded guilty have been released, while 15 drivers were imposed a fine and their driving licences have been suspended.
Two other drivers who were apprehended have been sentenced to rigorous imprisonment. (NewsWire)