Road injuries toll nearing 10,000

PHUKET: Road deaths in Phuket between January 1 and September 20 are down on the past two years, according to the latest government statistics, but the number of people injured this year is heading rapidly for five figures. According to statistics from the Wachira, Thalang and Patong government hospitals, 11 people died as a result of traffic accidents between August 20 and September 20. All of the dead were on motorcycles. In the same period, 856 people were hurt in crashes involving motorbikes, while 33 were injured in car accidents. From January 1 to September 20 this year, 119 people have died in traffic accidents, 106 on motorcycles and 13 in cars. This figure is an improvement on the 140 killed in the same period in 1999, and the 147 killed last year. However, the statistics also show that the number of people injured in road accidents is on track to reach five figures. In the same January-September period, 9,432 people were injured in traffic accidents, of whom 9,197 – nearly 98% – were on motorbikes. The statistics do not take into account accident victims taken to private hospitals, clinics or public health centers.