Police blame reckless driving for death toll

Police blame reckless driving for death toll

By Than Naing Soe   |   Monday, 15 July 2013

Almost 100 people died on Mandalay's roads in the first half of the year, a traffic police official said last week.

From January to the end of June, 98 deaths were recorded, of which 67 were motorcyclists, the spokesperson said, adding that most serious accidents were the result of reckless driving. Ninety-seven people died in the same period in 2012.

Another 276 people were injured on the city's road, he said, adding that more than 70 percent of serious accidents involved motorcycles.

"Of the 213 traffic accidents, reckless driving was the main cause followed by speeding."

The largest number of accidents occurred in Chan Aye Tharsan township, with 36 cases, followed by Amarapura with 34 and Mahar Aung Myay and Chan Mya Tharsi with 31 each. The figures covered the seven townships that make up Mandalay district. Chan Aye Tharsan had the highest number of deaths, with 21, while Patheingyi had the most accidents, with 69.

Ko Soe Naing from Mahar Aung Myay township said he was not surprised by the high number of deaths.

"Most people blame accidents on the number of cars and motorcycles but in my view it's because individuals are not following the rules," he said.

"You regularly see people riding with three passengers on a motorbike. Nobody has a helmet and they are speeding. With behaviour like that, accidents will just keep rising."

Translated by Zar Zar Soe

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/07/16/police-blame-reckless-driving-for-death-toll/