Over 287 people died this year on Mon State’s roads

Mon State experienced 287 deaths and 1181 injuries from 716 vehicle accidents between January and November, 2016.

Mawlamyine Traffic Control Force Head Office stated the above, as it disclosed the accidents, deaths and injuries that took place all over Mon State’s 10 townships.

“The accidents take place in Mawlamyine City mainly when motorbike drivers veer out of lanes onto main roads and they don’t see other vehicles coming. Since they also drive at high speeds, accidents do occur,” said Ko Kyaw Thu, deputy head of Traffic Control Force.

In December, a educational campaign aimed at maintaining road rules has been provided four times to over 700 people, including over 400 students, and more than 300 car and motorbike drivers. The campaign was launched 30 times in November.

Ko Kyaw Thu added that ”due to the limited number of traffic control officials, out of the 10 Mon State townships, only 5 townships have been provided with traffic control officials. These include Mawlamyine, Mudon, Thaton, Kyaikhto and Belin.”

Vehicle accidents occur because drivers do not understand the vehicle and road rules, and generally disrespect them, according to Ko Bo Bo Win, of Mawlamyine People Rescue Association.

“The problems include drivers misunderstanding the vehicle rules. Since they also don’t wear helmets, they can be severely injured when the accidents takes place. They do not respect the vehicle rules. If they respect the rules and drive in accordance with the rules, there will be less vehicle accidents,” said Ko Bo Bo Win.

Likewise, about 150 people died from 693 vehicle accidents from January to November on the Yangon to Mandalay expressway, according to Expressway Police Force Office in Nay Pyi Taw.

In 2015, it was reported that in Mon State, 266 people were killed and 1,102 people were injured in 263 car accidents, 356 motorcycle accidents and 26 two-wheel tractor and trailer accidents.