Skip to main content

Sri Lanka and India have toughened enforcement on drink driving

The authorities in India and Sri Lanka are targeting drink driving in a bid to cut crashes. Both countries have high road accident levels and with high annual fatality rates. In a bid to reduce the annual death toll, similar actions are being taken in both nations that focus on tackling drink driving. Data from Sri Lanka show that in 2012, there were 2,190 reported road-related fatalities and of these, negligence and drunk-driving were the main causes of crashes. But despite increased enforcement of traffic
January 8, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
The authorities in India and Sri Lanka are targeting drink driving in a bid to cut crashes. Both countries have high road accident levels and with high annual fatality rates. In a bid to reduce the annual death toll, similar actions are being taken in both nations that focus on tackling drink driving. Data from Sri Lanka show that in 2012, there were 2,190 reported road-related fatalities and of these, negligence and drunk-driving were the main causes of crashes. But despite increased enforcement of traffic rules in Sri Lanka during 2012, there has not so far been a corresponding drop in fatal road accidents. In 2012, there were some 6,283 serious accidents on Sri Lanka’s road network with, on average, 150 crashes and six deaths/day. Police figures suggest that there were 39,089 reported road accidents in Sri Lanka in 2012, a 5.6% jump from the 2011 figure of 37,000. The Sri Lankan authorities are currently considering what further measures can be introduced to help turn the tide of road related fatalities in the country. Meanwhile in India’s capital New Delhi, a campaign called Road Safety Week was carried out recently. This was organised by the country’s 1143 Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in partnership with the 2462 IRF and highlighted the risks of drink driving in particular. This campaign had the theme 'Stay Alive, Don't Drink and Drive'.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Road accident data management
    July 19, 2012
    IRF Geneva unveils a modern solution for road accident data management. This year's Intertraffic Amsterdam exhibition provided a high-profile backdrop for the launch of RADaR, a pioneering new tablet application developed to facilitate the on-site collection of precise and scientific accident data, primarily by traffic police. Introducing the application to an international audience gathered in the venue’s inaugural Smart Mobility Centre, IRF Geneva's director general, Sibylle Rupprecht, highlighted RADaR's
  • Distracted driving a problem in the UK
    July 22, 2015
    New research by the UK’s Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) reveals the high risk of distracted driving. Many drivers are using their phones and tablets to take selfies, make video calls and watch videos while at the wheel according to the report. The findings come from research commissioned this month exclusively by the IAM, which asked 500 drivers how they use their smartphones and tablets in the car.
  • Poor levels of road safety for South Africa’s motorcycle riders
    January 7, 2019
    South Africa suffered poor safety levels for motorcyclists during 2018, with a 9% increase in fatalities compared to 2017. During 2018 there were 183 fatalities amongst motorcycle drivers and passengers in South Africa, compared to 166 in 2017. Meanwhile there were 508 powered two wheeler riders seriously injured in 2018, compared with 521 the previous year. Of those killed or seriously injured in crashes, 651 were male and 58 were female in 2018, compared with 631 males and 56 females killed or seriously i
  • Road safety concerns for France and Portugal following increased crashes
    August 18, 2015
    There is concern in France and Portugal following the publication of data showing increases in road deaths. Both countries have been highly effective in recent years in reducing road deaths and injuries following campaigns to crack down on speeding and drink driving. The recent increases in deaths and injuries from road crashes have been of major concern as a result.