Today until November 20:

Week preventing injuries from road accidents

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The week starting today to November 20 has been declared the 'week focusing on preventing injuries from road accidents', by the Health Ministry.

The Health Ministry revealed that between 2,000 to 2,500 people die in road accidents in Sri Lanka annually. It is also reported that 150 road accidents occur daily while over 80,000 road accidents are reported annually, of which 30,000 are serious accidents.

The ministry decided to announce a week during which the public will be educated on preventing injuries caused by accidents.

The ministry's decision to announce a week to focus on preventing injuries caused by accidents comes in line with World Accident Prevention Day that fell on October 26. The ministry noted that the programme was initiated in the backdrop where the number of road accidents that occur daily is increasing rapidly.

The ministry also hopes to hold awareness programmes in all districts.