News Today: Road Accidents Increase During Holiday Season

The Accident Prevention Division of the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit at the Ministry of Health has revealed a sharp increase in road accidents during the New Year holiday season, raising alarm across the country. According to Dr. Samitha Siritunga, Head of the division, the number of accidents recorded this year significantly surpassed those reported in previous years, especially in regions outside Colombo.

While major cities like Colombo and its suburbs experienced a moderate number of incidents, rural and provincial areas reported the majority of accidents. Experts believe this could be due to increased travel, festive gatherings, and lack of enforcement in remote locations.

Dr. Indika Jagoda, Director of the Accident and Emergency Department at the Colombo National Hospital, stated that more than 400 individuals were hospitalized on April 13th and 14th alone. Of these, nearly 80 patients required urgent surgical intervention, with many suffering from injuries caused by vehicle collisions.

Interestingly, while fireworks-related injuries have decreased, vehicle accidents remain the top cause of hospitalization during the holiday. Dr. Jagoda urged the public to remain vigilant, drive responsibly, and avoid risky behavior that leads to these preventable tragedies.

In a related statement, SSP Buddhika Manatunga, Police Media Spokesperson, reported that over 800 drunk drivers were apprehended during special police operations on April 13th and 14th, reflecting a concerning trend in reckless driving during festivities.