Motorbike injuries soar in 2001

PHUKET: The number of people injured in traffic accidents involving motorcycles has jumped this year, with 6,589 hurt between January 1 and July 20, compared with 6,068 in the same period of last year and 5,691 in 1999. Eighteen people died in traffic accidents between June 20 and July 20, according to statistics from the Wachira, Thalang and Patong government hospitals. Three of the dead were in cars, while the remaining 15 were on motorbikes. A further 50 people were injured in cars during the same period, while the motorbike injury toll was 939.