The negligence of drivers and the lack of proper scientific training for a significant number of them are the main reasons for road accidents in Sri Lanka, claimed the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA).

The Brand Ambassador of the Safe Sri Lanka Project of the SLMA, motorsports racing driver Dilantha Malagamuwa told the media yesterday (30) that the negligence of drivers and the lack of proper and scientific training for a significant number of them are the main causes of road accidents in Sri Lanka.

Malagamuwa also stated that although he and his team worked together to inform the responsible departments in this regard for a long time, those departments had not paid attention to it. He revealed that as a minor remedy to this situation, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has commenced providing a comprehensive training to drivers. Malagamuwa also said that this unique scientific training has already been given to 200 SLTB drivers at Katukurunda.

According to Police statistics, annual road accidents in Sri Lanka are in the five digit range including fatal, grievous and non-grievous accidents, and those causing damage, with an average of six people dying in road accidents every day while thousands of road accidents occur each week.