Govt launches 'Decade of Action for Road Safety'

Irangika RANGE

The government will launch a Decade of Action for Road Safety, (2011-2020), which outlines steps toward improving the safety of roads and vehicles, enhances emergency services and builds up road safety management in Sri Lanka, at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel today at 10am.

The government will also conduct the National Road Safety Conference under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the same venue today.

The action plan for the decade will call for increased legislation and enforcement on using helmets, seat-belts and child restraints and avoiding drinking and driving and speeding, a Transport Ministry spokesman said.

The National Road Safety Conference has been organized by the Transport Ministry on a request made by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Prevention of Road Accidents to look into alarming increases in traffic accidents and to create awareness among policy makers, stakeholders and the public on road accidents.

Only 15 percent of countries have comprehensive laws which address road accidents.

If all countries would implement the plan, five million lives could be saved and 50 million injuries can be averted in the 10 year period.