VIENTIANE, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Lao Traffic Police Department under Ministry of Public Security reported that 917 people have been killed in road accidents nationwide over the past 11 months.
"Over 5,190 road accidents were reported nationwide with 8,541 people injured, 465 vehicles damaged," Lao News Agency (KPL) on Tuesday quoted Lao Deputy Director of the Traffic Police Department, Khamsone Sidavong as saying.
In 2016, 5,610 road accidents were recorded along with 4,058 people injured and 1,086 people killed in Laos.
Lao capital Vientiane, till November this year witnessed over 1,200 road accidents and 188 people killed in the accidents, the highest number of road accident casualties in the country.
The police attributed the large number of road accidents to the increasing number of vehicles, and traffic rule violation, especially among motorcycle riders.
Substandard roads and lack of adequate traffic facilities were also considered as cause of road accidents in the country.
"Annually, we organize various activities to raise awareness of traffic rules, conduct road safety campaigns urging general public to drive safely and use helmets when using vehicles," said Khamsone.
