By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): High motor traffic accident fatality and injury rates on Sri Lanka’s roads are undermining the economic growth causing a massive economic loss of around Rs 300 -400 billion a year to the country, a finance ministry cost assessment report relating to the health sector revealed.
This massive sum of money is spent on treating the injured, providing medical facilities at state hospitals, and importing spare parts to repair the damaged vehicles and insurance expenses.
Available data shows an average of 40,000 motor traffic accidents reported annually in Sri Lanka resulting in around 3,000 deaths and 8,000 serious injuries. But along with unreported accidents and as per insurance company reports, it could be as high as 400,000.
When considering this high number of 400, 000 motor traffic accidents, the actual economic loss could be around Rs. 700 billion, Sri Lanka Medical Association’s Prevention of Road Traffic Crashes (PRTC) expert committee convener Dr. Thushara Matiwalage claimed.
The estimated annual road crash deaths per capita is the highest among its immediate neighbors in South Asia and five times that of the best performing countries in the world, a World Bank report highlighted.
The impact of road accidents on economic performance is immense as over two thirds of road crash victims are productive, working age adults between 15-64 years of age, This situation is worsened by the rapid growth in vehicle ownership and the diversity of motorised and non-motorised traffic of varying sizes and speeds.
This leaves vulnerable road users without adequate protection – more than 90% of crash victims are pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
If this trend continues, as expected, crash fatalities and injuries will steadily climb— unless urgently required measures are implemented.
This is an issue vital to the country’s health, well-being, human capital, and economic growth.
The World Bank estimates that road crash fatalities and injuries could cost countries like Sri Lanka between 3-5% of GDP annually.
One-fourth of the deaths reported in Sri Lanka are due to road accidents, the Traffic Administration and Road Safety Division of Sri Lanka Police reveals.
Director of the Traffic Administration and Road Safety Division, DIG Indika Hapugoda disclosed that most of the road accidents involve motorcycles.
“About 12,000 people die a year in Sri Lanka. A quarter of these deaths, numbering around 3,000, are caused due to accidents involving reckless motorists and motorcyclists who violated traffic regulations, he pointed out.
According to the statistics of the Traffic Headquarters of the Sri Lanka Police, 1,500 people have lost their lives in 1,427 fatal road accidents between January 01 and August 31, 2023.“ 630 motorcyclists have died in 612 accidents.
