VIENTIANE (XINHUA) – A total of 33 people were killed in road accidents across Laos during the Lao New Year celebrations from April 11 to 17, a Lao official said.
A total of 316 accidents were recorded across the country during the period, Deputy Head of the Traffic Police Department under the Laos Ministry of Public Security Khamsone Sidavong told a press conference yesterday.
Meanwhile, 594 people were injured and 567 vehicles were damaged in the road accidents. Vientiane province reported the highest number of accidents at 43, causing five deaths.
Khamsone said the main causes of the road accidents were drunk driving, speeding and sudden direction changes.
The Lao New Year is the most important festival in the Lao calendar.
This year, the traffic police department unveiled plans to improve road traffic safety during the holidays.
Traffic police were on duty nationwide to monitor and prevent traffic rule violations.
