Road Rages:Accidents Claim 35 Lives During Lao New Year Holidays

Vientiane, April 19   : A total of 35 people were killed in road accidents across Laos during the celebrations of the Lao New Year from April 11 to 17. According to the latest report issued by the traffic police department under the Lao Ministry of Public Security, 312 accidents were reported in the Southeast Asian country during the cited period. Meanwhile, 552 people were injured and 545 vehicles damaged in the road accidents. The Lao capital Vientiane reported the highest number of accidents at 45, causing eight deaths. The traffic police department report blamed the accidents on reckless driving, drunk driving, failure of motorbike riders to wear a helmet, and speeding. In 2022, authorities in Lao capital Vientiane introduced special measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during Lao New Year celebrations, with police patrolling streets to monitor the public behavior and make sure there were no large gatherings. Provincial authorities also imposed curbs to prevent the spread of the virus over the Lao New Year holidays.