One minute silence to remember accident victims

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

One minute silence is to be observed tomorrow at 10 am to remember all road accident victims in Sri Lanka.

A flag day will also be held on the same day in aid of road accident victims who have become permanently disabled, Health Deputy Minister Lalith Dissanayake said.

The Road Safety Week commenced on November 14.

Deputy Minister Dissanayake said most of the responsibility with regard to road accidents falls on the drivers. The pedestrians too are responsible and have a major role in road safety. Breaking road rules is the main cause for road accidents, he said.

Road safety and the prevention of accidents is one of the most important tasks especially with the opening of the first ever expressway in the country, 'Gateway to Wonder' (Southern Expressway).

Almost all State hospitals in Sri Lanka are equipped with the required facilities to treat accident victims, the Deputy Minister said.

Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala said one road accident occur every 10 minutes in Sri Lanka and two persons face road accidents every two hours. One person die in Sri Lanka from a road accident every four hours and six persons die from road accidents everyday. The total number of deaths due to road accidents per year exceeds 2,000. The Parliament has already appointed a Parliamentary Select Committee to look into this matter.

Most of the road accidents occur due to reasons such as breaking of road rules, using mobile phones while driving etc. All State hospitals are capable of treating accident victims, the Deputy Minister said. "Giving first aid to accident victims until they reach a hospital is important with regard to saving lives.

"Around 1.3 million people die all over the world due to road accidents and 3,500 persons die daily worldwide. Most of them are between 15 and 45 years. This is the age group that makes the highest contribution towards development," the Deputy Minister added.