Road accidents continue to plague Vientiane Capital, with the latest figures for the year so far reaching a staggering 525 cases, according to a recent announcement by police.
Lieutenant Colonel Phengsavanh Thammaboun, Head of the Vientiane Capital Traffic Police Department, stated in an interview with the Vientiane Mai that in the first six months of this year, 525 road accidents had occurred within Vientiane.
These figures include 89 deaths.
The district in which the most road accidents occurred was Xaythany District, which saw 148 accidents so far this year, costing the economy LAK 6.3 billion.
Although the number of road accidents remains high, the capital city has at least seen fewer incidents than in previous years, with nine fewer accidents than in 2018, and 17 fewer deaths.
According to reports from the police, almost all road accidents have occurred due to reckless driving or ignorance of traffic regulations. A general lack of awareness or respect for traffic regulations still prevails among drivers in Laos, with many cases of speeding giving rise to accidents.
A large number of vehicles are unroadworthy, causing traffic problems, while drunk driving remains a common occurrence as well.
The Vientiane Capital Road Traffic Department urges all motorists to take extra precautions when driving, ensure that they respect traffic regulations, and exercise better manners when driving – giving way when necessary and respecting the rights of other drivers.
Photo: Vientiane Rescue
