– Police have instructed all traffic officers to take direct legal action against drivers involved in reckless driving instead of issuing on-the-spot fines, Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety W.P.J. Senadheera said.

According to police, 1,292 fatal road accidents have been reported across the country from January 1 this year to yesterday (26), resulting in 1,357 deaths. During the same period, 2,512 serious injury accidents and 5,059 minor accidents were also recorded. Online said that 467 pedestrians and 465 motorcyclists were among those who lost their lives in these accidents.The DIG said excessive speed and negligent driving are the main causes behind the rising number of road fatalities.Meanwhile, more than 80 people have been injured in two separate bus accidents reported in different parts of the country within the past 24 hours.