Synopsis
Over 35 individuals were hospitalized after a bus collision in Sri Lanka's Southern Province. Six suffered serious injuries. The incident highlights rising traffic accidents, with over 12,000 fatalities reported from 2020 to 2024. Authorities are intensifying traffic law enforcement and recruiting more police to tackle road safety issues.Key Takeaways
- Over 35 hospitalized due to bus collision.
- Six individuals sustained serious injuries.
- Rainy conditions reported at the time of the accident.
- 12,140 fatalities from traffic accidents (2020-2024).
- Government recruiting 10,000 police officers for road safety.
Colombo, Jan 19 (NationPress) More than 35 individuals were admitted to hospitals following a head-on crash involving two buses in Sri Lanka's Southern Province on Sunday morning, as reported by police.
According to police, six people suffered serious injuries and are currently being treated at the primary hospital in the Matara District, as noted by the Xinhua news agency.
Reports from local media indicated that rain was falling at the time of the incident.
Authorities revealed that between 2020 and 2024, 12,140 lives have been claimed due to traffic accidents in the country.
To address the rising number of bus-related accidents, Sri Lankan officials have stepped up legal measures against those breaching traffic laws pertaining to passenger buses.
The government has also sanctioned the hiring of an additional 10,000 police officers to enhance initiatives aimed at curbing road accidents while also conducting operations against crime and drug trafficking.
The Sri Lankan police disclosed that 12,140 fatalities occurred in traffic incidents from 2020 to 2024. In light of the escalating bus accidents, authorities have intensified their enforcement of traffic regulations.
The World Bank (2019) reported that Sri Lanka has a notably high population density of 346 per km², road density of 173.9 km per 100 km², and vehicle density of 109.73 per km². A Department of National Planning report (2017) indicated that 3,000 km of the national road network exceeds 10,000 vehicles daily.
Urban roads frequently exceed capacity, particularly during peak traffic hours. With the development of numerous highways enabling quicker travel to various destinations, an influx of vehicles for both trips and other activities has occurred. Increased economic activity has also led to a higher number of freight vehicles, placing additional strain on the road infrastructure.
This situation is particularly challenging in areas where many roads, especially in urban regions, remain as two-way single carriageways. The expansion of roads horizontally faces significant challenges due to existing landscape developments.
