Rise in accidents during festive season

Nadira Gunatilleke

The number of road accidents has increased during the festive season, health authorities said warning the public to be vigilant.

“Road accidents have shown a significant increase during festive seasons in previous years, during weekends and days before Poya,” National Hospital of Sri Lanka Accident and Orthopaedic Service deputy director, Dr. Prasad Ariyawansa said.

Addressing a seminar at the Health Education Bureau last week, Dr. Ariyawansa said that on a normal day only around 18 patients turn up at the accident service but during festive seasons this number increases to 86.

”Around 55 percent accident victims are motorcyclists. Around 24 percent accident victims are pedestrians. These pedestrians do not have any protection against accidents,” he said.

Dr. Ariyawansa said the number of accidents had not gone up parallel to the number of vehicles which increased during the past.

Director, Traffic Control and Road Safety, SSP K Arsaratnam said that around 40,000 new vehicles and 600 new motorcycles are registered daily.

”These motorcycle riders do not knowledge and experience. Some do not wear helmets, and the ones who have wear helmets, do not use straps to tighten them.

Drivers who violate road rules will be punished,” he said.