General

The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for Traffic Control and Road Safety, W. P. J. Senadheera, announced that drivers caught under the influence of alcohol or driving recklessly will now face criminal charges alongside traffic violations. During a media briefing on the 29th, DIG Senadheera noted a rise in road accidents this year compared to last year. He emphasized that alcohol use is a significant reason for these accidents and mentioned that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has ordered that criminal law should be applied to these cases moving forward. DIG Senadheera explained that there have been 271 more road accidents this year than last year, with the number of deaths increasing by 317. He pointed out that while serious accidents have generally decreased, driver negligence and carelessness are major contributors to the rise in incidents. He added that pedestrians are particularly vulnerable, as they are involved in 31% of road accidents, with motorcyclists, pillion riders, and three-wheeler drivers following. He reiterated that driving under the influence of alcohol is a primary cause of accidents among drivers. Moving forward, the IGP has directed that actions will be taken under criminal law, in addition to enforcing traffic regulations, against those who drive drunk or recklessly.