* Every one of four persons admitted to Colombo Accident Ward a road accident victim
Thu, Mar 18, 2010, 07:55 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Mar 18, Colombo: Accident Department of Sri Lanka National Hospital says that 25% of the patients admitted to the department each day are the victims of road accidents.

The Director of the Accident Department Prasad Ariyawansa says that 70% of the accident victims are in the age group between 15-45 years. Most of the deceased accident victims are also in the same age group, he says.

Sri Lanka Police say that the carelessness and the impatience are the main causes for the road accidents.

Police sources say that around 2,200 persons lose lives annually as a result of road accidents. A fatal road accident occurs every four and half hour in Sri Lanka, says Doctor Prasad Ariyawansa.

Minister of Transport Dullas Alahapperuma pointed out last year that many accidents involve a fraudulent driving license. In 2008, 35% of all accidents involved such licenses, Mr. Alahaperuma said.