The Ministry of Transport states that the National Council for Road Safety has taken steps to increase the compensation for unidentified road accidents from Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 250,000 and for the accidents with serious injuries from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000.
This new compensation scheme will be implemented from 2022 on the instructions of the Minister of Transport Pavithra Wanniarachchi.
Reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, use of mobile phones, unsafe driving on the road and wearing substandard helmets have led to an increase in road accidents in Sri Lanka.
Of the vehicles responsible for fatal accidents, 42% are motorcycles and 12% are lorries and tippers.
The data also shows that 40% of the people who die in a day are motorcyclists, 30% are pedestrians and 9% are cyclists.
Meanwhile, 47% of accidents occur between 6pm and 10pm.
These facts were revealed at a ceremony organized by the National Council for Road Safety to coincide with the International Day of Remembrance for Road Accident Victims.
Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister of Transport officiated at the event held at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Center on December 01 (today). She provided commemorative and financial assistance to activists who volunteered for road safety, road accident mitigation and pedestrian safety, and launched the National Road Safety Action Plan to reduce road accidents in Sri Lanka by 50%.
Compensation was also paid to the dependents of those who died in unidentified road accidents and to those who were seriously injured.
Speaking at the event Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said, “The number of accidents involving motorcycles is the highest. Eight people die in road accidents in this country every day. A national program should be prepared for this. ”
Secretary to the Ministry Monty Ranatunga and Chairman of the National Council for Road Safety Anton de Mens were also present.