‘Don’t Hit & Run’ campaign by AA Ceylon and FIA

By end 2015, Sri Lanka recorded the highest death toll (2,801) due to the massive number of road accidents. Amongst the numbers was the total number of fatal accidents (2,590) excluding the death toll.

Some of these statistics mentioned are due to the negligence of drivers when committing a criminal offence, leaving the victims stranded. The main objective is to reduce the death toll by a minimum of 30% and total disability due to ‘hit and run’ by a minimum of 50% within two years. The ‘Don’t Hit & Run!’ project is to be implemented with grants of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and contributions from sponsors. Creating awareness on how to prevent deaths and permanent disabilities due to ‘hit and run’ after an accident could reduce the death rate considerably.

AA Ceylon President Dhammika Attygalle, Secretary/CEO Devapriya Hettiarchchi and the executive committee invited Deputy Minister Transport and Civil Aviation Ashok Abeysinghe to launch this project that can save many lives and prevent permanent disabilities. The message will be communicated and sustained by conducting workshops for learner school instructors who are registered with the Department of Motor Traffic. Further, the following speakers will educate the learner instructors on the repercussions of hit and run:

National Council for Road Safety Chairman Dr. Sisira Kodagoda

Department of Police SP – Director Traffic Indika Hapugoda

Department of Motor Traffic Assistant Commissioner Technical J.A.S. Jayaweera

National Hospital Deputy Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe

Attorney-at-Law/Bar Association Executive Committee Member Nalinda Indatissa 

Global Institute of Safety Managing Director Dr. Rohitha Rathnaweera

In addition, AA Ceylon will display messages on the repercussions of Hit & Run together with boy scouts and volunteers to create awareness. 

Aims of the project are: Enlighten drivers of their moral obligations; enlighten drivers of the legal aspects and the punishments for a crime such as ‘hit and run’; enlighten on how to handle an injured person and prevent further injuries due to inappropriate methods of transporting them to a hospital; create a public opinion on hit and run and get the public to rally round to take proper legal action against such criminals and provide justice for the victims; and create a platform on general media and social media to debate this subject.