National Accident Prevention Week, implemented parallel to the ‘World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims’ which falls on third Sunday of November each year will commence from today (15th Nov.) and will be held until 18th November.

It is implemented by the Non-Communicable Disease Unit of the Ministry of Health under the directions of Health Minister Rajitha Senarathne.

Awareness programs, inspection of possible places for accidents, and taking short, mid, and long term action to minimize accidents will take place during the week –long program.

15th will be the Schools and Pre- Schools safety day, 16th will be the working places safety day, 17th will be the domestic safety day, and the last day, 18th will be the road safety day. Currently, about 6-8 road accidents take place daily.

In Sri Lanka, the number of victims and the deaths caused by accidents is gradually increasing day by day and nearly one million get hospitalized for treatment due to this situation. Road accidents play a major role in fatal accident category. Nearly 2,500 people die due to fatal road accidents annually. This year it has increased up to 2,800, sources said.  Most of the people subject to road accidents including fatal accidents are between 15-40 years. This has a big effect on the country’s economy, and the government has to bear a high expenditure for the treatment and rehabilitation process.

According to the Police, 2,019 fatal road accidents from 1st January to 3rd September have been reported this year. In addition, 6,142 serious accidents, 11,132 minor accidents, and 10,266 property damages have also reported. The death toll is about 2,207.