Fatal road accidents up after lockdown lifted -Police

By Thameenah Razeek

The number of fatal road accidents, following lifting the lockdown restrictions by the Government, has shown a remarkable increase, Police Spokesman, Deputy Inspector General of Police Ajith Rohana said. 

He noted however, that during the period of lockdown during the second wave of COVID-19, the number of fatal road accidents had declined significantly.  Citing a recent accident reported in the Nugegoda area, which killed at least two persons and another one earlier, which resulted in three deaths, he added that preventing road traffic accidents is not the sole responsibility of the Police but that it is everyone’s responsibility.

“If you are a driver, you have the responsibility to prevent traffic accidents, and if you are a pedestrian or a passenger you have the responsibility not to be a victim of a road accident,” he said.

Therefore, pedestrians and the drivers are urged to take appropriate actions to prevent road accidents and the Police urged pedestrians to be watchful when crossing the road and to cross from a pedestrian crossing.

Also, he added that riders on motorcycles and bicycles too should take all precautions to avoid accidents.