Addressing the Escalating Road Accidents in Sri Lanka: A Comprehensive Way Forward

        Background

Road accidents have become a grave concern in Sri Lanka, with a steady rise in fatalities and injuries. The recent news report highlights the severity of the issue, as 14 people lost their lives in road accidents in just nine days in four different areas of the island. The data from the beginning of 2023 indicates a disturbing toll of 1192 deaths and 1126 fatal accidents. Careless driving and speeding, particularly on narrow roads, are the primary causes of these accidents. Furthermore, road accidents have emerged as a leading cause of premature deaths and hospitalisations, primarily affecting individuals aged 15-45.

2.       Challenges

  Several challenges contribute to the alarming increase in road accidents:

a) Careless driving practices

b) Speeding on narrow roads

c) Inadequate road infrastructure

d) Limited funding for road repairs and expansion

e) Ineffective implementation of existing road safety measures

f) Lack of public awareness and education about road safety.

Government Measures

  While the government has taken some measures to address road accidents, their effectiveness could be improved. The Police Media Spokesman cites driver carelessness as a critical issue, indicating the need for stricter law enforcement and penalties for traffic violations. However, a more comprehensive approach is required to tackle the root causes.

Singapore Country's Laws and Order Comparative Analysis

Singapore has successfully implemented stringent road safety measures that can serve as a model for Sri Lanka. The country's strict traffic laws, extensive use of surveillance cameras, and heavy fines for violations have resulted in significantly lower road accident rates. A comparative analysis of Singapore's road safety strategies can provide valuable insights for Sri Lanka to adopt effective policies.

  Recommendations for Reducing Accidents

 To curb the rising road accidents and improve overall road safety, the following actionable recommendations are proposed:

a) Strengthen Law Enforcement: Increase traffic police presence and enforce strict penalties for traffic violations, including reckless driving, speeding, drunk driving, and failure to use seat belts.

b) Road Infrastructure Improvement: Invest in road infrastructure development and maintenance. Identify accident-prone areas and implement road widening, signage improvements, and installation of traffic calming measures.

c) Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch extensive public awareness campaigns about road safety, targeting drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Utilise various media channels to educate the public about safe driving practices and the consequences of reckless behaviour.

d) Driver Education and Training: Implement mandatory road safety education in schools and provide training programs for new and existing drivers to promote responsible driving habits.

e) Technology Integration: Adopt advanced technology solutions such as traffic cameras, automatic speed enforcement systems, and intelligent transportation systems to enhance road safety monitoring and enforcement.

f) Data-Driven Approaches: Utilize data analytics to identify accident patterns, hotspots, and risk factors. This information can guide targeted interventions and resource allocation.

g) Collaboration with the Private Sector: Partner with private companies and NGOs to support road safety initiatives, including sponsoring awareness campaigns and offering incentives for safe driving behaviour.

h) Regional Cooperation: Collaborate with neighbouring countries to share best practices, exchange information, and coordinate efforts in addressing cross-border road safety challenges.

Conclusion

The escalating number of road accidents in Sri Lanka demands urgent and comprehensive action. By combining stricter law enforcement, road infrastructure improvements, public awareness campaigns, education, and technology integration, significant progress can be made in reducing road accidents. Learning from the successful strategies of countries like Singapore can provide valuable insights. A collective effort from the government, private sector, civil society, and the public is essential to make Sri Lankan roads safer, ultimately saving countless lives and fostering a more sustainable and prosperous future for the nation.