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Motor vehicle drivers

Government Introduces Directives to Enhance Road Safety

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Government has taken significant steps to improve road safety, introducing two key directives under the Motor Vehicles Act. One directive formalizes drug testing procedures for drivers suspected of narcotic use, while the other makes seat belts mandatory for all passengers traveling on expressways. The new measures aim to curb drug-impaired driving and reduce the number of fatal and serious accidents on expressways. The directives will be submitted to Parliament for approval, bringing about a renewed commitment to reducing road accidents and improving public safety.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Motor Vehicle (Drug) Directive No. 1 of 2025 establishes a formal framework for conducting drug tests on drivers suspected of impairment and verifying impairment levels.
  • Police officers will now be legally empowered to refer drivers suspected of drug use to a Government medical officer for examination.
  • The Motor Vehicles Directive (Expressway) No. 02 of 2011 has been amended to make seat belts mandatory for every passenger occupying any seat in vehicles traveling on expressways.
  • The measure aims to reduce the number of fatal and serious accidents on expressways, which have been rising in recent months.
  • Motorists have been given sufficient time to import or fix necessary equipment to comply with the new regulations.
  • The new directives reflect the Government's renewed commitment to reducing road accidents and improving public safety.

Statistics:

  • 4 September 2025: The date on which the Motor Vehicle (Drug) Directive No. 1 of 2025 was published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2452/40.
  • 25 September 2025: The date on which the Motor Vehicles Directive (Expressway) No. 02 of 2011 was amended by Gazette No. 2455/29.
  • 3 months: The lead time given to motorists and spare parts importers to import or fix necessary equipment to comply with the new regulation.
  • The number of fatal and serious accidents on expressways has risen in recent months, prompting the Government to take action to improve road safety.

Sources:

  • The Government of Sri Lanka
  • Cabinet of Ministers
  • Motor Vehicles Act
  • Extraordinary Gazette No. 2452/40
  • Motor Vehicles Directive (Expressway) No. 02 of 2011
  • Gazette No. 2455/29
  • Wijeya Newspapers Limited
  • SyndiGate Media Inc.

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