New legislations for drivers

6 May 2011 08:55 am Views - 8516

By Sandun A. Jaysekera

The Transport Ministry is to introduce tough legislations including increased prison terms and fines on drivers and compensation for victims of accidents, in an effort to stem ever increasing road accidents and resultant deaths and injuries, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said.

Minister Welgama told the media that road accidents are becoming an increasing social, economic and health issue with five to six deaths from around 150 road accidents occurring a day in Sri Lanka.

“A study has revealed that in the thirty year period from 1977 to 2007, over 40,000 people have died from road accidents, in addition to thousands of others being maimed and families of road accident victims becoming destitute. The loss consequent to these accidents is exceeding Rs. 100 billion”, he said.
Presidential advisor, Mano Wijeratne said a strategic approach on national level is necessary to bring down the incidences of road accidents as death from road accidents has become the number one killer of healthy people in Sri Lanka in the peace time.

Secretary, Transport Ministry, Dhammika Perera said around 75% accidents occur due to human errors and these accidents can be prevented by strict implementation of the traffic law. In addition road environment and vehicle factors are influencing traffic accidents, he said.