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Drunken driving main cause of road accidents

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

Drunken driving has been the main factor for majority of road accidents during this festive season although the overall figure of accidents have declined.

The overall figure of accidents reported to the Colombo National Hospital on December 24 and 25 decreased by nearly 20 per cent compared to the previous year.

"But the number of injured in motor vehicle accidents remain almost same with 149 reported this year against last year's 152," Colombo National Hospital's Accident Service Director Dr. Anil Jasinghe told the Daily News yesterday.

Drunken driving has been identified as the major factor leading to most road traffic accidents. Most of the injured were either going or returning from parties, he said.

The injured numbering 508 were treated at the Hospital on Christmas day and the previous day, out of which 140 seriously injured were admitted to the hospital.

"Admissions too have decreased to 140 this year from last year's 207," Dr. Jasinghe said.

He attributed this to the educational campaign conducted by the health authorities.

Pushpa Zoysa, the hospital's training coordinator, Accident and Orhtopaedic Service said victims of violence had also decreased from 96 to 63 this year showing a remarkable decline.

She said the number of injured also declined to two this festive season.

Two lawyers injured in a road accident in Ja-Ela are also being treated at the Intensive Care Unit. Five persons with self-cut injuries have also been admitted to hospital.

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