Beware of walking on roads while using phones! Police watchful!

Colombo, July 03 (Daily Mirror) - Police said that legal action will be taken in the future against pedestrians who walk on roads while listening to music through headphones or earphones, citing the growing risk of road accidents.

Director of Traffic Control and Road Safety, Senior Superintendent of Police Manoj Ranagala, said pedestrians found engaging in the practice are currently being warned, but court action will be introduced as part of stricter road safety enforcement.

Speaking at a media briefing held at the Health Promotion Bureau to mark the 11th National Accident Prevention Week, scheduled from July 6 to 10, SSP Ranagala highlighted the country's worsening road accident situation.

He said more than 10 people lose their lives in road accidents every day. Between January 1 and June 30, 2026, Sri Lanka recorded 1,323 road accidents, claiming 1,389 lives.

According to SSP Ranagala, the number of accidents has increased by 105, while fatalities have risen by 107 compared to the corresponding period in 2025. He noted that pedestrians and cyclists remain the most vulnerable road users, with inattention, careless behaviour, traffic law violations, speeding, and poor vehicle and road maintenance identified as major contributing factors.

He said police, acting on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police, have introduced special traffic operations and modern technology to curb road accidents, including advanced speed detection equipment capable of monitoring vehicles over a distance of up to three kilometres.

SSP Ranagala also stressed that the law will be enforced equally against all offenders and that those responsible for road accidents will be produced before the court. He added that tougher penalties, stricter enforcement, and possible suspension of driving licences are among the measures being considered to address the increasing number of road fatalities.