Arakan State records 106 traffic accidents, 75 fatalities in first half of 2021

By DMG 10 Jul 2021

DMG Newsroom
10 July 2021, Sittwe

A total of 106 traffic accidents, resulting in 75 deaths and 136 injuries, were reported in Arakan State in the first six months of the year, according to the Arakan State Traffic Police.

Thandwe, Taungup, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Sittwe and Ann townships had the highest traffic accident rates, said Myat Moe Kyaw Thu, deputy company commander of the No. 5 Traffic Police Force.

“Most cases are drunk driving and motorbikes colliding with things along roadsides or falling into a ditch. That’s why the death toll is high,” he told DMG.

April had the most incidents and fatalities in the first six months of 2021, with 22 traffic accidents and 22 deaths. February followed second with 19 traffic accidents and 12 deaths.

“The Thingyan festival was held in April and more traffic accidents happened during the festival,” traffic police officer Myat Moe Kyaw Thu said.

March had the lowest case count and death toll, with 15 traffic accidents and six deaths, according to the Traffic Police figures.

Traffic police say they are providing public awareness every week to reduce traffic accidents.

A total of 337 traffic accidents and 144 deaths were reported in Arakan State in 2019, and 219 accidents and 121 deaths were recorded last year.