April 12, Colombo (LNW): The Transport and Highways Ministry is calling for public cooperation to curb the increasing number of road accidents as the Sinhala and Tamil New Year approaches. A comprehensive transport plan involving the Sri Lanka Transport Board, Sri Lanka Railway Department, and the National Transport Commission has been implemented to ensure smooth travel during the festive season. Special arrangements at the Makumbura and Kadawatha multimodal transport centers are also set to facilitate the anticipated surge in travelers.
To further assist the public, a hotline, ‘1968’, has been established, providing necessary information and support. The urgency of these measures comes in response to a spike in road accidents, largely attributed to traffic law violations, reckless driving, and the influence of alcohol and mobile phone usage while driving. The Ministry highlights the necessity of community and driver cooperation in tackling these issues effectively.
In response, the Ministry has issued a series of recommendations for drivers: maintaining a speed limit of under 100 kilometers per hour on expressways, avoiding mobile phone use, wearing seatbelts, maintaining a safe driving distance, and adhering to sobriety behind the wheel. Drivers are also advised to drive on the left except when overtaking, comply with traffic signals, check vehicle tires regularly, and be cautious in areas where wild animals are present.
