Fatal accidents growing deadlier
The year ended recording a large number of accidents due to man-made reasons like drunk driving, fatigue and negligence.
According to statistics released by the Traffic Police Headquarters, last year 3,087 deaths occurred out of 2,909 fatal accidents. This was against the 2016 figures in which 2,961 were killed in 2,798 fatal accidents.
Figures compiled until November showed that the highest deaths were caused due to motorcycle accidents claiming the lives of 1,092 persons including 169 pillion riders.
The second highest number of deaths in road accidents were pedestrians, where 840 were killed.
In addition, 263 cyclists and 222 drivers were among the deaths caused last year.
Police Media Spokesman, Superintendent of Police Ruwan Gunasekara told the Sunday Times that the two main reasons for accidents during the festive season were drunken driving and overloading. The latter, he added, is prevalent in the outskirts of Colombo during the festive season.
According to him, 60 per cent of deaths can be reduced if pedestrians and drivers were more careful without being negligent while travelling on the road.
SP Gunasekara pointed out that the state of the driver, vehicle, infrastructure, pedestrian and institutions enforcing laws have to be in check.
“The five factors are inter-related and if one factor fails then it will cause accidents,” he said.
He stated that various instruction classes and lectures are conducted in order to educate the public regarding the gravity of accidents. He added that law enforcing institutions have to enforce strict laws against major offences.
Meanwhile the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) reported 855 accident cases in 2016, while 817 cases were reported last year. The figures indicate a 4 per cent reduction.
The Hospital’s Head of Nursing, Pushpa R. Zoysa told the Sunday Times that the reduction was due to the constant reminder conveyed to the public by the media. However, she stated that traffic rules are applicable to both the driver and the pedestrian, and many accidents were caused due to speeding, drunk driving, travelling on unfamiliar roads, which according to her are man-made causes.
Moreover, last year 13 cases were reported due to injuries caused during lighting fireworks and in 2016, 17 cases were reported at the NHSL. Accordingly, there has been a 23 per cent reduction in the number of cases reported last year.
According to hospital statistics during Christmas season last year, 5 cases relating to firework injuries were reported while 12 such cases were reported during December 30th and 31st.
Ms. Zoysa pointed out that the awareness created among the public regarding this matter is still insufficient.
“People are not aware of the safe technique of lighting a fire cracker from a distance, and the most important thing when purchasing fireworks is to check the standard of the product,” she said.
According to Ms. Zoysa the public should also be on alert regarding the first aid process of a burn injury as the severity of a burn injury can increase if it is not attended to on time. The injured victim should undergo water treatment immediately, added.