17 die in motorbike accidents

PHUKET: The island’s roads claimed at least one dead motorbike rider every two days between August 20 and September 20, the latest figures reveal. Statistics from Wachira, Thalang and Patong government hospitals show that motorcycle accidents claimed 17 lives in the period, the same number as in the previous 31 days. The statistics show that 851 people were injured on motorbikes during the August-September period, compared with 41 injured in cars and seven in other road accidents. The new figures bring the island’s road toll for the year so far to 138 dead and 9,613 injured.