Year 2009 saw highest accidents at crossings

Parliament corrs

Sixty accidents at unprotected level crossings were reported in 2009.

This is the highest number of accidents at unprotected level crossings in the past 10 years, Parliament was told yesterday.

Twenty persons were killed and 83 were injured in these accidents, according to an answer tabled in the House in response to a question raised by UNP MP Gayantha Karunatilake. The number of accidents have increased since 2005 with 60 reported that year, 65 in 2007 dropping to 43 in 2008 but reaching 66 in 2009.

The number of deaths in 2009 are the second highest recorded between 2000 to 2009 with the exception of 2005 when 48 deaths were recorded. The number of injured, 83 was also the highest in 2009. There are 391 protected level crossings in the country in addition to 59 that are installed with electric bells with red lights.

In the answer tabled by the Transport Ministry, it was revealed that action is being taken to install gates at level crossings on a priority basis, under the limited provision allocated to the Department. Signal systems have been installed at five level crossings out of the provision allocated to the department this year.

Meanwhile, the installation of three signal systems is on the verge of being completed while three more are to be added soon.

Gates and signal systems are to be installed at 51 level crossings under an Australian project.