Seat-belt use helped prevent serious injuries in the multi-vehicle accident on the Southern Expressway between Gelanigama and Dodangoda, according to Deputy Inspector General of Police W.P.J. Senadheera.
Senadheera, who is in charge of the Police Traffic Management and Road Safety Division, said all the schoolchildren travelling in the bus involved in the crash had been wearing seat belts.
He said eight children were admitted to the Kalutara Nagoda Hospital following the accident, but none had suffered serious injuries.
According to the DIG, the use of seat belts also helped reduce the severity of injuries among occupants of other vehicles involved in the collision.
The accident, which occurred at around 6.15 a.m., involved 11 vehicles, including two buses, a cab and several cars. Thirteen people were admitted to hospital.
Senadheera said the initial crash occurred after a cab travelling from Galle towards Colombo at high speed applied its brakes, skidded and struck the roadside barrier.
He also urged motorists to reduce speed during rainy weather, warning that wet road conditions increase the risk of vehicles skidding after braking.
Police began strictly enforcing seat-belt regulations on expressways from September 20, and Senadheera said the latest accident showed the importance of complying with the rule. (Newswire)
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