Bus accidents claim more than 50 lives in first half of 2020

COLOMBO (News1st): More than 50 people have been killed in bus accidents during the first half of 2020, police said, despite travel restrictions imposed amidst COVID-19. According to the Traffic Unit of the Police, 58 people have lost their lives due to 49 fatal bus accidents during the first six months. Police officers will be deployed to the Colombo Fort area in civil attire, and also travel in long-distance buses to monitor the conduct of bus drivers, SSP Indika Hapugoda, the Director of Motor Traffic and Road Safety said. "We are hoping to reduce daily 8% of death percentage as a result of accidents," SSP Hapugoda noted. Meanwhile, transport minister Mahinda Amaraweera has said that the government is planning to import buses in a bid to curb accidents. "We are taking all necessary measures to prevent road accidents. 98 percent of buses are built on lorry chassis," Amaraweera noted. In 2019, 88 road accidents had occurred during the first half of 2019, claiming 97 lives.