Nine traffic accidents reported in Arakan State during Thadingyut holiday

By Aung Htein 18 Oct 2019

Aung Htein/ DMG

18 October, Sittwe

There were nine traffic accidents in Arakan State during the Thadingyut holiday period, according to a source from the Arakan State traffic police force.

“I attributed most of the traffic accidents to the long holiday weekend, reckless driving and consumption of alcohol by the students at the University of Distance Education,” Police Captain Nay Lwin from Arakan State traffic police force told the DMG.

He said, “Schools as well as government offices are closed during the Thadingyut holiday. All traffic accidents occurred at midnight. Some students from the University of Distance Education arrived in Sittwe to sit for examination. Reckless driving of motorcycles and consumption of liquor may cause most of the traffic accidents.”

Nine vehicular accidents happened in Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Thandwe Townships during a five-day holiday from 10 to 15 October, killing four men and injuring 13 people including five women, according to the figures from the Arakan State traffic police force.

Awareness campaigns such as distribution of pamphlets and knowledge dissemination are being conducted in order to prevent road accidents. In addition, the motorists need to abide by the traffic rules, he added.

He also urged the motorcyclists to wear helmets and suggested them not to drive fast. Because speeding is the most common cause of the traffic accidents.

There was a total of five traffic accidents in Arakan State during the Thadingyut holiday last year, resulting in 2 deaths and 5 injuries, according to the Arakan State traffic police force.