More killed, maimed on roads in 2002

PHUKET TOWN: Statistics show that at least 181 people died on Phuket’s roads in 2002 and another 13,064 people were injured. Of the dead, 161 died in motorcycle accidents and 20 from crashes involving cars. The toll was a considerable increase over 2001, when 148 deaths were recorded, but down on the 189 fatalities listed for 2000. The worst month was March 2002, when 24 people perished. The statistics are compiled by the Phuket Provincial Health Office based on reports from Phuket’s three government hospitals – Wachira, Thalang and Patong. They do not include deaths or injuries recorded at any of the island’s private hospitals, clinics or public health centers.