Drugs, Alcohol lead to rising accidents in Western Province

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama   

The number of road accidents due to driving under the influence of alcohol and using drugs in the Western Province has increased in the past six days, State Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said.   

Addressing the media yesterday, he shared the results of investigations conducted to find out the cause of the increase in accidents.   

Accordingly, an investigation was conducted for six days starting June 12 and after 1,781 investigations, it was revealed that 41 of them were engaged in driving under the influence of drugs.   

Some 18 drivers (43%) were nabbed for using cannabis (Ganja) while driving, and 23 (56%) drivers were nabbed for using crystal methamphetamine (ICE). Nine people (21%) were arrested for using heroin, and four people were arrested for using both ICE and heroin. 10 were arrested for using cannabis and ICE. Two were arrested for using narcotic pills, ICE and heroin.  

Investigations revealed that 19 bus drivers engaged in public transport, 13 motorcyclists, and nine three-wheeler drivers were among the 41 arrested for driving under the influence of drugs.   

The driving licenses of these drivers were suspended for six months to one year by the court, and several of them were sentenced to imprisonment as well.   

According to statistics issued by the police, the minister said that there is an increase in the number of vehicles operating on the road, and due to that, the number of vehicle accidents and deaths has increased.   
Accordingly, a total of 8,875 road accidents were reported and 1,043 lives were lost due to accidents reported during the past six months. Most of these accidents were caused by buses, motorcycles, and three-wheelers, the minister said.   

The number of vehicle accidents and deaths due to accidents had considerably increased by June 18 this year. 902 fatal accidents, 1,856 fatal injuries, 3,951 minor injuries, and 2,096 damages were reported during the past six months.   

Therefore, the government and all government-assisted institutions are currently paying attention to the causes of these accidents.   

According to them, the quality of the roads, the condition of the vehicles, the rules and regulations imposed for controlling vehicles, and the Motor Traffic Act have caused the accidents.   

Driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol and using drugs was identified as the main aspect of the accidents and as the cause of the increase in accidents.   

Accordingly, the Public Security Ministry, Sri Lanka Police, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Health Ministry, National Council for Road Safety, National Transport Medical Institute, Government Analyst’s Department, and the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) launched a programme to identify the drivers who were under the influence of alcohol or drugs.   The driving licenses of these drivers were suspended for six months to  one year by the court, and several of them were sentenced to  imprisonment as well.   The driving licenses of these drivers were suspended for six months to  one year by the court, and several of them were sentenced to  imprisonment as well.   

The driving licenses of these drivers were suspended for six months to  one year by the court, and several of them were sentenced to  imprisonment as well.    

• 19 bus drivers engaged in public transport, 13 motorcyclists, and nine  three-wheeler drivers were among the 41 arrested for driving under the  influence of drugs 
• The quality of the roads, the condition of the vehicles, the rules and  regulations imposed for controlling vehicles, and the Motor Traffic Act  have caused the accidents