'Road Accident Prevention Awareness Week':

Police to educate motorists

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Health Ministry has declared a `Road Accident Prevention Awareness Week' from tomorrow to educate motorists on the increasing number of highway accidents.

The objective of the program conducted by the Accident Related Injuries Preventing Unit of the Health Ministry in collaboration with the Police is to create awareness among motorists countrywide on the highway rules and the steps that need to be taken to prevent accidents.

Police statistics have revealed that road accidents in Sri Lanka claim six lives daily. Around, 2,000 - 2,500 people are killed due to road accidents every year.

Director, Traffic Administration and Road Safety, SSP K. Arsaratnam told the Sunday Observer that over 80,000 road accidents are reported islandwide every year.

Taking these facts into account the police have warned motorists to refrain from driving unroadworthy vehicles that could cause highway accidents.

Police have also warned motorists not to overtake vehicles, drive pararel to other vehicles, drive under the influence of alcohol and also refrain from driving for long durations without a break.

He said that separate road accident awareness programs will also be conducted for trishaw drivers, motor-cyclists and school children who are the most prone to road accidents.

Recently, a group of school boys had called upon the bus driver which they were travelling not to drive at a high speed and also informed the Mawanella police.

The police took prompt action and stopped the bus on the way and fined the driver for careless driving. Police said even the public could complain against such incidents on their mobile phones.