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| Friday, 4 June 2004 |
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by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi Two hundred and twenty children were killed in road accidents last year. They were among the thousands of victims of nearly 2,000 fatal accidents on the country's roads last year. "Every day at least five to six fatal accidents occur," Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order Thilak Ranaviraja revealed yesterday. Announcing the "Courteous Drivers Week" to the media yesterday Ranaviraja said: "During the last year alone 220 schoolchildren have been killed in road accidents while 1993 fatal accidents occurred last year". He cautioned about the increasing number of road accidents and urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to prevent road accidents. Ranaviraja explained that the proposed program would concentrate on the prevention of accidents. The Courteous Drivers Week will be held from June 21 to 28. According to statistics, a total of 59,444 accidents have been reported during the last year. This comprises 3,919 serious injury accidents and 13,714 minor injury accidents. Around 39,848 accidents have caused damage to property and vehicles. While the accidents go up, the public go on the rampage blocking roads and attacking vehicles in many instances after the accidents. In some accidents reported last year, people set the vehicles responsible for the accidents on fire. Reports also indicate that 311 cyclists, 68 pedestrians and 399 motorcyclists have been killed in road accidents last year. The main causes of these accidents have been identified as speeding, driving under the influence of liquor, driving without observing traffic regulations, driving without driving licence and pedestrians not adhering to the road rules. Besides, dilapidated roads and road signs not being properly displayed too had contributed to this alarming situation. Ranaviraja said the proposed program initiated by his Ministry will be implemented in collaboration with the all relevant Ministries, Departments and Institutions. Inspector General of Police Indra de Silva said this program will be a continuous one. "As drivers are required to be courteous, I think the law enforcement officers too should be courteous." He lamented that the people are not following the proper road and traffic rules which could help prevent many road accidents. "They have no patience. The public should be more alert." |
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