Nearly 90 traffic accidents reported in Arakan State in first half of 2023

By Admin 18 Jul 2023

DMG Newsroom
18 July 2023, Sittwe

There were 87 traffic accidents reported in Arakan State during the period from January 1 through June, resulting in 44 deaths and 98 injuries, according to the state traffic police.

Thirty-nine men and five women were killed and 98 people —72 men and 26 women — were injured in those accidents.

Traffic accidents were reported in Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Thandwe and Taungup townships, with the most traffic incidents recorded in Thandwe Township, according to the Arakan State traffic police.

“Traffic accidents occur due to reckless driving of motorcycles and poor compliance with the rules. Deaths in traffic accidents are mainly caused by speeding,” said an official from the No. 5 traffic police force.

The official added that Thandwe Township has the highest number of traffic accidents each year due to its dense population, large number of visitors and weak enforcement of traffic rules.

“Some are drunk and drive motorcycles and cars at high speed. Some people drive their motorcycles without lights at night, causing traffic accidents,” said Ko Lin Lin, chairman of the Sittwe-based charity Myitta Yaung Chi Blood Donation Group. “When we hear the news that there is a traffic accident, when we go to look, there are many people who are drunk and have a traffic accident.”

Residents have pointed out that there are not enough traffic lights at intersections in Arakan State, and even when there are, frequent blackouts often mean the existing traffic lights are often no functions. A traffic police personnel presence is not consistent in such circumstances, which causes a higher rate of traffic accidents, they add.

“Sometimes traffic lights are not working and there are no traffic police, especially during blackouts, so people go as they please. Crossing intersections is very scary. Sidecars and three-wheeled motorbikes are driving fast at intersections, so I always have to be careful,” said Ma Nyein Nyein, a Sittwe resident.

In order to reduce traffic accidents, the traffic police force is reportedly distributing pamphlets to educate the public, as well as installing educational signs in schools and places with heavy traffic.

There were 149 road accidents last year, resulting in 84 deaths and 192 people injured, according to the state traffic police.