It is reported that 2,260 people died in road accidents while another 6,847 people were critically injured following accidents last year. "There is an alarming increase in the number of injuries and deaths from road accidents. Therefore, it is a national need to take immediate steps to prevent the rising accidents rates," Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

The minister said so during a special meeting with National Road Safety Council officials yesterday.

He said to prevent road accidents, new laws should be introduced while increasing public awareness on reducing the number of road accidents was essential.

"It is necessary to formulate a national policy on road safety. It should be implemented on a long term plan," he added.

There should also be a special laws with regard to heavy vehicles such as fuel browsers and containers which result in traffic congestion and also vans, buses and three-wheelers transporting schoolchildren. The government will also explore possibilities of increasing compensation payments to families of victims of road accidents, the minister said.