Senior DIG of Traffic Administration and Road Safety, Indika Hapugoda, has announced that while there is no legal provision for transporting schoolchildren on motorcycles, the traffic police have permitted this practice on compassionate grounds. Speaking at an event in Colombo, Hapugoda clarified that only pillion riders who meet the age requirements are allowed to place their feet on the motorcycle’s footrests.
“According to existing traffic laws, schoolchildren aged between 5 and 10 are not permitted to be transported as pillion riders,” he stated.
Hapugoda also addressed the issue of road safety and accident statistics. By May 2024, the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) had registered 8.4 million vehicles, with over 4.8 million (58%) being motorcycles and 1.1 million (14%) three-wheelers. Annually, approximately 12,000 people die in various types of accidents, including drownings, electrocutions, falls, and suicides. Of these, one-third are road accidents, with motorcycles accounting for 1,000 of these fatalities.
In 2021, there were 2,452 accidents resulting in 2,257 deaths, and in 2022, 2,420 accidents caused 2,540 deaths. Although 2023 saw a slight decrease with 2,214 accidents and 2,325 fatalities, the number of deaths remains concerning. As of August 10, 2024, there have been 1,352 accidents resulting in 1,417 deaths.
The impact on schoolchildren is particularly notable. In 2021, 220 schoolchildren were killed in motorcycle accidents, with 157 of these between the ages of 5 and 6. The figures for 2022 showed an increase, with 282 schoolchildren aged 5 to 18 dying in road accidents, and 2023 saw 328 schoolchildren involved in accidents.
Regarding helmet use, legal actions have been significant: 206,730 cases were filed against motorcycle riders and pillion riders for not wearing helmets in 2021, with numbers increasing to nearly 180,000 in 2022 and 286,750 in 2023.
