Helmets see drop in mobike accident deaths

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Motorcycle deaths have decreased by 40 percent while deaths caused by severe head injuries have dropped by 70 percent, due to motorcyclists wearing helmets, National Council for Road Safety sources said.

Sources revealed that the use of seat belts and child protection methods reduce injuries caused by accidents by 40 to 50 percent. It was also revealed that those using mobile phones while driving are four times more prone to accidents.

Effective road safety measures such as urban planning and transport planning, designing safer roads and requiring independent road safety audits for new construction projects, improving safety features of vehicles, promoting public transport, effective speed management by police and through the use of traffic-calming measures setting and enforcing internationally harmonized laws requiring the use of seat belts, helmets and child restraints setting and enforcing blood alcohol concentration limits for drivers and improving post crash care for victims of road accidents are very essential to reduce road accidents.

Public awareness campaigns also play an important role in supporting the enforcement of legislative measures by increasing awareness of risks and of the penalties associated with breaking laws, sources said.