News
Road death toll in past five days climbs to 52
By Norman Palihawadane
There had been 52 deaths in 399 traffic accidents countrywide during the past five days, police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said yesterday.
Starting from 6 am on April 13 to 6 am yesterday, there had been 399 accidents causing 52 deaths and injuring 669, the DIG said.
DIG Rohana said that most of the fatalities had been due to head- on collisions.
The highest number of deaths was among motorcyclists and pedestrians, DIG Rohana said, adding that 2,242 vehicles had been taken into custody over accidents and drunk driving during the five days. Of those vehicles, 1,429, were motorcycles, he said noting that there were also 552 trishaws, 12 buses, 128 cars, 28 lorries, 30 vans, 22 cabs and a container truck.
During the same period, 1,834 persons had been nabbed for driving after liquor, the DIG said.
He said that every year Sri Lanka recorded the highest number of road crashes on April 14-15 during the national New Year season.
DIG Rohana said the police were carrying out special operations to apprehend drunk drivers during the festive season.