Traffic Injuries Near 10,000-mark

PHUKET: Traffic-related injuries approached the 10,000-mark for 1998, the Phuket Health Department reported last week. In its report to the Phuket Governor, the agency said 885 patients were admitted to government hospitals from October 20, 1998 through November 19, 1998, including 826 with motorbike-related injuries. A total of 25 people died in traffic accidents during the period, including 19 motorbike drivers and passengers, making it the deadliest reporting period in ten months. From December 20, 1997 through November 19, 1998, a total of 9,459 traffic injury cases were recorded in the province. Of these, 8,745 were motorbike drivers or passengers, 501 were riding in cars or trucks, and 213 were pedestrians. During the eleven-month period, there were 194 traffic deaths, of which 164 were motorbike-related.