May 15, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is facing a grim surge in road fatalities this year, with 965 lives lost in traffic-related incidents from January to mid-May.
The alarming figure, released by national law enforcement authorities, highlights a broader crisis in road safety, with 1,842 major accidents reported across the island during this period. Of these, 902 were classified as fatal crashes.
According to police sources, the primary causes behind these tragic incidents are a combination of reckless behaviour behind the wheel, driver negligence, and poorly maintained vehicles. These factors continue to plague the country’s roads despite repeated calls for stricter enforcement and driver education.
With public concern mounting, authorities have announced the launch of a comprehensive island-wide initiative aimed at curbing the rising toll of road accidents.
This new campaign will include an increased police presence on high-risk routes, intensified enforcement of traffic laws, and targeted action against drivers who repeatedly flout regulations.
In tandem with enforcement, the government plans to roll out a series of driver awareness programmes. These educational efforts will focus on promoting responsible road behaviour, improving knowledge of traffic rules, and encouraging routine vehicle maintenance to ensure roadworthiness.
Special emphasis will be placed on commercial drivers and young motorists, who are statistically more prone to risky driving practices.
Law enforcement officials have also noted that the spike in accidents cannot be solely attributed to human error. In many cases, the poor condition of roads, insufficient signage, and lack of pedestrian safety infrastructure have contributed to the problem.
A multi-agency task force is reportedly being formed to address these infrastructural deficiencies, with the aim of introducing long-term improvements to road design and urban transport planning.
This year’s statistics mark a troubling continuation of a pattern that has been gradually worsening in recent years. Despite the implementation of sporadic traffic campaigns and the use of speed-monitoring technologies, the daily reality on Sri Lanka’s roads remains perilous.
From urban junctions in Colombo to rural highways in the central hills, dangerous driving is becoming increasingly common, with devastating consequences.
Public health experts have also weighed in, pointing out that the rise in fatalities from road accidents now rivals other leading causes of preventable deaths in the country. They are urging immediate policy reform, increased investment in public transport, and a cultural shift toward greater accountability on the roads.
