Police: 2,557 deaths from 2,200 fatal traffic accidents in 2023

There were 2,557 deaths resulting from 2,200 fatal traffic accidents in the country in 2023, according to Police Media Spokesman, DIG Nihal Thalduwa.

He said that in 2022 there had been 2,515 deaths from 2,395 fatal accidents, and 2,513 deaths from 2,414 fatal accidents in 2021.

According to the Police Spokesman, in 2020, there were 2,242 fatal road accidents, resulting in 2,829 deaths.

In 2019, there were 2,641 fatal accidents and 3,097 deaths.

SSP Thalduwa said that in 2023, pedestrians had accounted for the highest number of fatalities in road accidents, with 740 deaths, and 707 motorcyclists had also lost their lives.

The Police Spokesman said the lowest number of fatal accidents, among vehicle categories, occurred involving buses owned by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and container trucks.

Thalduwa reported that there had been 75 fatal accidents involving SLTB buses and 14 such accidents involving container trucks.  (RK)