Road accidents, drownings mar holiday season

More than 30 persons have died, either in road accidents or drowning during the past New Year holidays. Road fatalities were at the highest with 23 deaths reported between 12 and 14 April.

The road accidents happened across many areas of the country. Police said many of these accidents were caused due to drunk driving and speeding.

The long holiday season meant many people were traveling to visit friends and relatives and many were going on holiday. More than six drowning incidents were reported during the past week including two drowning in the Mahaweli reservoir while bathing in unsafe waters.

Like during all extended holiday seasons, the Police and health authorities had warned the public to be cautious but given the available statistics on road accidents and drownings, one can see that some have a lackadaisical attitude to warnings given to them and are careless and by being so, not only do they endanger their lives but also the lives of others.

A drowning prevention report compiled a few years ago showed that over 1,000 die from drowning each year in Sri Lanka. Most who drown are children and young adults, including some who drown while saving others.

A large number of Lankans drown in the sea but the number who die while bathing in rivers and other water bodies too is on the rise. Many holiday makers spend a part of their tours bathing in rivers, near waterfalls, reservoirs, etc. and some unfortunately fail to adhere to warnings given by the authorities or locals in the area and are caught unawares when the condition becomes dangerous for bathing.

Though Sri Lanka is an island the number of people who learn to swim are few and majority are unaware of lifesaving techniques which can be applied if they are in a dangerous situation in a water body. This is one reason for the large number of deaths from drowning.

In the case of road accidents, responsibility of maintaining discipline on the roads depends on the driver but given the large number of accidents it is evident that many of them have no regard for traffic laws and are a law unto themselves when behind the wheel.

Speeding and drunk driving are two main causes of road accidents and during the past week, despite increased police presence, a number of road accidents cost lives.

Given that a large number of people were traveling on holidays last week, the number of vehicles on outstation roads too were many and hence there was the need to be more cautious on these roads, which are usually less crowded.

While Police presence does deter reckless drivers, those who have made a habit of breaking road rules wait to be out of sight of a policeman before they start speeding, overtaking at unauthorised places, etc. thus causing serious accidents.

Both road accidents and drowning are serious cases of public concerns. The deaths from road accidents not only deprive families of their loved ones, but there is also a huge economic cost to families as well as the country.

The alarming number of drowning deaths are also a serious matter and needs more focus from the authorities to minimise them. Both road accidents and drownings can be prevented if people pay proper attention to the warnings given to them and exercise caution. The relevant authorities can warn the public, but eventually it is individual behaviour that will decide if they remain safe or face a tragic end.

Prevention is better than cure, is the old adage, one which the public must adhere to as much as possible.