Police Introduces WhatsApp Hotline to Combat Rising Road Accidents

In a bid to address the alarming increase in fatal and serious road accidents across the island, the police have launched a special WhatsApp hotline for citizens to report reckless driving and vehicles modified in violation of road regulations. This initiative aims to encourage public involvement in enhancing road safety.

The police headquarters emphasized that reckless behavior, such as speeding and negligent driving, has predominantly contributed to recent deadly accidents, putting the lives of both other road users and pedestrians at risk.

Notably, many of the passenger buses involved in recent accidents had been illegally modified with dangerous enhancements, lacking appropriate roadworthiness certifications or mechanical condition reports.

Public members can send relevant video footage to the WhatsApp number 070 - 4755600 to report reckless and dangerous driving. The police highlighted that several offenders have already been apprehended and legal action taken based on evidence provided by the public.

Additionally, individuals can report vehicles emitting excessive black smoke detrimental to the environment and public health, by sending photos or videos along with the vehicle number, date, and location to the number 070 - 3500525.

For emergencies, the following contact numbers are available:

• Police Emergency Call Center: 119
• Colombo District Emergency Call Center: 0112 – 433333
• National Transport Commission (Bus Complaints): 1955

Daily road accidents in Sri Lanka claim between six to eight lives, with annual fatalities exceeding 2,500. The recent competition for speed among private buses, which includes the use of hazardous external lighting and excessive noise from multiple horns, has become a significant social issue.

Utilizing mobile phones and dashboard cameras, the public has increasingly played a pivotal role in bringing offenders to justice, a strategy that has seen notable success and will continue to be strengthened as police pursue robust legal measures against violators.