VIENTIANE, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A total of 33 people were killed in road accidents across Laos during the celebrations of the Lao New Year from April 11 to 17, said a Lao official.
A total of 316 accidents were recorded across the country during the cited period, Deputy Head of the Traffic Police Department under the Lao Ministry of Public Security Khamsone Sidavong told a press conference here on Friday.
Meanwhile, 594 people were injured and 567 vehicles were damaged in the road accidents. Vientiane province reported the highest number of accidents at 43, causing five deaths.
Khamsone said the main causes of the road accidents were drunk driving, speeding and sudden direction changes.
The Lao New Year is the most important festival in the Lao calendar. This year, the traffic police department has unveiled plans to improve road traffic safety during the holidays. Traffic police have been on duty nationwide to monitor and prevent traffic rule violations. ■
