Motorbike injury toll hits five figures

PHUKET: The number of people injured in motorcycle accidents went into five figures for the first time last year, with 10,359 needing treatment, according to statistics supplied by the Wachira, Thalang and Patong government hospitals. The number of people injured represented an increase of 4.6% on the previous year’s 9,903. In 1998 the toll was 9,681 and in 1997 it was 9,346. Deaths in motorcycle accidents, however, fell last year, to 159, compared with 170 in 1999, 179 in 1998 and 189 in 1997. In addition to the motorcycle death toll, 26 people died in cars, buses or trucks, and four on bicycles, while 1,182 were injured in non-motorcycle-related accidents. The figures do not take into account the dead and injured taken to private hospitals, clinics and public health centers.