Rise in road accidents in Sri Lanka

The increasing number of fatal road accidents in Sri Lanka at present seems to be causing a significant socio-economic catastrophe in the country, stated the Sri Lanka Medical Association.

 

 According to the Sri Lanka Police, there were 1875 serious accidents in the country in January alone and 235 of them were fatal accidents.

 

 Three wheelers were involved in 39 fatal accidents and a least 40 people have been killed in three-wheeler accidents in the past month. A total of 250 people were killed in road accidents in January alone. 

 

Approximately eight people a day were killed in road accidents in January. 

 

There is a significant increase in the number of road accident deaths over the past year. In the year 2021, there were be 2414 fatal road accidents in the country. 

 

The death toll was 2,513. A total of 6401 people were seriously injured in the accidents, leaving them permanently disabled. 

 

The total number of road accidents reported in the year 2021 is 22319. 

 

As a citizens of this country, we have a definite responsibility to prevent these unfortunate accidents. Road accidents are disasters that can be prevented by acting with discipline and responsibility. 

 

Although there is no definitive measure of the impact to the country's economy as a result of deaths from road traffic accidents and serious injuries, including permanent disabilities, and damage to physical property in Sri Lanka the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates this loss as approximately. 

 

According to the Central Bank Report 2020, the country's gross domestic product was 15016.142 billion rupees and 3% approximately amount to 450 billion rupees. Although the gross manifestation of a preventable economic burden is 450 billion rupees, there is no calculation for the loss of lives and the extent of socio-economic damage to the families. 

 

According to the World Health Organization, road accidents are the leading cause of death among children and young adults aged 5-29 and 93% of road deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where 60% of the world's vehicles are used.