Speed fiends to blame for spate of accidents
by Carol Aloysius
Beware of speed fiends. They are the cause for the highest number of
accident victims brought to the Accident Service.
This warning comes from the Director, Accident Service, National
Hospital Sri Lanka, Dr Kapila Wickremanayake following the rising number
of road-traffic victims admitted to the Accident Ward over the past few
weeks.
“Road-traffic accidents accounted for over 35 percent of the patients
(25,876) admitted to our ward in 2012. The victims were mainly
pedestrians and motorcyclists who did not wear helmets. They were
largely bus drivers and drunken or careless motorists speeding on the
roads ignoring traffic regulations”, he told the Sunday Observer.
He said that the number of patients admitted due to other injuries
were comparatively less. Elderly persons were involved in most accidents
and sports injuries accounted for 24 percent of admissions. Falls from
heights accounted for 10 percent and admissions due to violence 14
percent.
“Although we had fewer victims due to injuries from crackers and
fireworks last month the number of road accidents, is on the increase,
he said.
According to the latest global reports deaths due to road accidents
now stand at 1.24 million a 1 year and is expected to triple in a few
years especially in developing countries, prompting the UN General
Assembly to call for a ‘Decade of Action for Road Safety’. “This is
mainly due to our poor roads and the unethical behaviour of motorists “,
Dr Wickramanayake said. He said that an awareness program was under way
with the help of the Health Education Bureau.
“Pedestrians and drivers must observe road rules to check this
alarming trend”, he said. Road accidents should be reported to 2691111
or 269255334”, he said. Five major road accidents involving bus and
motorcyclists, leaving over 80 people critically injured and four dead
were reported this week. There was a head on collision of a SLTB bus and
private bus at Pasyala on Friday where 68 persons were injured and one
killed. |
