Motorbike death rate drops sharply

PHUKET: Eight people died in traffic accidents between August 20 and September 20, according to statistics from the Wachira, Thalang and Patong government hospitals. All the victims were on motorcycles, reported Ampaipan Pawawattananusorn of the Phuket Provincial Health Office. The death-rate on motorcycles in August/September was considerably lower than the average of 14.7 a month for the first nine months of the year. This year’s totals from January 1 to September 20 show 132 killed on motorcycles and 15 in cars. However, the injury figures for the first nine months were significantly higher than in recent years, with 8,578 people hurt. Of these, 7,638 – nearly 90% – were on motorcycles. In 1997 the motorbike injury figure was 7,160. In 1998 it fell slightly to 7,139, while last year it was 7,142.