Dr. Chamod Hettiarachchi, a member of the Advisory Committee for Expressway Safety Actions, pinpointed driver negligence, vehicle maintenance issues, and accidents caused by third parties as the primary reasons behind accidents on expressways.
Speaking at a media briefing held yesterday in Colombo, Dr. Hettiarachchi disclosed that these critical statistics and factors contributing to expressway accidents emerged from a comprehensive survey report.
The survey revealed that a staggering 56% of expressway accidents are attributed to driver negligence, underscoring the dire consequences of such lapses in judgment. Among these incidents, 35% resulted in fatalities or permanent disabilities, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Over the span of thirteen years since the Southern Expressway’s inception, a total of 9,375 road accidents have been documented, with 5,292 attributed to driver negligence. Dr. Hettiarachchi lamented that these accidents have tragically claimed the lives of 66 individuals and left 637 permanently disabled.
Mayura Perera, Director of the Southern Expressway Police Division and Senior Superintendent of Police, provided an update on expressway accidents during the briefing. He highlighted that in 2024, there have been seven fatal accidents on expressways thus far, indicating an increase compared to the preceding two years. In 2022, there were 17 fatal accidents, while in 2023, the number decreased to four.
In light of these concerning statistics, Perera urged all drivers to prioritize road safety and adhere to disciplined driving practices, particularly during festive seasons, to help mitigate accidents on expressways.
Thushara Suraweera, Additional Secretary of the Transport Ministry and Highways, addressed the necessity of updating regulations in the Motor Traffic Act to tackle accidents caused by distracted driving due to the use of new communication technologies. He stressed the importance of adapting rules to current circumstances to bolster road safety. Furthermore, he emphasized the intention to standardize driver license requirements through driver training programs. This initiative aims to foster disciplined drivers by instilling a mindset shift towards road safety and responsible driving practices. Source – https://www.dailymirror.lk/
