Phalanxay Traffic Police are trying to find the driver of a pickup who fled the scene after hitting a motorbike last week killing two women in Oudomxay village, Phalanxay district, Savannakhet province.
The Phalanxay Traffic Police Office reported that two women were killed when a pickup ran into their motorcycle around 4:30am on October 5.
The victims were named as Ms Maek, 30, and Ms Chanh, 24, of Kaengluang village, Phalanxay district.
According to the initial report, Ms Maek and Ms Chanh were travelling to market to sell fish and vegetables, when they were hit by a pickup travelling at high speed, killing them instantly. The pickup failed to remain at the scene of the accident. However the pickup’s number plate was recovered with the numbers 8596.
While police in charge have still not found the suspected vehicle and driver they are continuing to check the number plate and are hopeful of making an arrest.
Those driving to the south of the country need to be extra careful as many road users tend to drive at dangerous speeds. In the rainy season driving can be extremely hazardous and it’s also common to see cattle on the road making driving even more treacherous.
The issue of hit-and-run accidents is continuing to occur around the country while Vientiane is recording most of the incidents. According to Vientiane Traffic Police Department there have been 23 reported hit-and-run cases in the capital so far this year and police have made nine arrests.
Police said many hit-and-run accidents also take place in rural areas at night when drivers responsible think they can escape unseen. The main causes are high speed driving and intoxication.
According to Article 87 of the Criminal Law, anyone who is involved in a traffic accident and flees the scene is subject to a prison sentence of six months to two years and a fine ranging from 200,000 kip to 1 million kip.
According to the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security, over the eight months from January to August 2016 there were 3,746 accidents recorded nationwide involving 714 fatalities. Some 5,935 people were injured and 6,883 vehicles were damaged.
Motorbikes were involved in 95 percent of the accidents, with 90 percent of those dying in accidents being male.
The number of road accidents continues to increase, with many people dying due to dangerous driving. According to the Traffic Police Department, about 90 percent of accidents involve drunken driving, speeding and other violations of the traffic rules.
Many accidents occur at weekends and on special occasions when people get together to drink.
Source: Vientiane Times
