and seven fatal accidents in expressways in 2021

By Yohan Perera   

Whilst it was revealed that there has been 79,904 traffic offences, 461 accidents and seven fatal accidents in expressways in 2021, the Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando has instructed Head of Expressway Traffic Police SSP Chintaka Gunaratne to find ways and means to minimise these offences and accidents.   

It was highlighted at a meeting about drunk driving, reckless driving and driving without wearing seat belts in the expressways as the number of fatal accidents was on the rise.   
“Except for driver fatigue the most number of fatal accidents in the expressways have been caused by drunk driving, reckless driving, not wearing seat belts and using mobile phones while driving, the minister said, pointing out that the police could take action to minimise these causes thereby contributing to bring down the number of traffic accidents there,” the Ministry of Highways said.   
Addressing a meeting with police officers and men stationed at the Expressway Operations and Maintenance Units, the minister said that the number of fatal accidents reported in the expressways has increased during the recent times. “There had been seven fatal accidents at Pinnaduwa, Aparekka, Kurundugahahetekma, Angunakolapelessa, Athurugiriya and Gelanigama claiming six lives in 2021. The total number of accidents reported in expressways in 2021 was 461. In 2020 the corresponding figure was 308. There had been five fatal accidents on expressways during 2020 where five persons were killed,” he said.   

Police officers who were present at the meeting pointed out that in 2021, they had filed 79,904 cases against traffic offenders caught at the expressways. The offences included drunk driving, reckless and dangerous driving, violating speed limits, driving without wearing seat belts, using mobile phones while driving and driving without proper Vehicle Revenue Licences etc. The corresponding figure for the year 2020 was 66,252, they pointed out.   

• The total number of accidents reported in expressways in 2021 was 461. In 2020 the corresponding figure was 308