Down from year prior, Arakan traffic accidents exceed 200 in 2020

By Mrat Swe 31 Dec 2020

Myat Swe | DMG
31 December 2020, Sittwe

A total of 203 traffic accidents were reported in Arakan State between January and November 2020, killing 111 people and injuring 251, according to the state’s traffic police office.

Police Lieutenant Aung Thu Min, head of the No. 20 traffic police force in Sittwe District, said most cases were found in Sittwe, Thandwe, Taungup and Gwa townships.

“These townships are developed areas. So, there are a lot of vehicles, motorbikes and rickshaws, and the number of traffic accidents is higher there,” he said.

At the same time, the number of road accidents decreased in 2020 because fewer people were driving due to stay-at-home orders amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he added.

“The number of traffic accidents has decreased due to COVID-19 because the number of road users has decreased due to stay-at-home order to prevent COVID-19 infection. Additionally, we provided public awareness on traffic accidents. So, more people follow traffic regulations and road accidents have decreased,” Police Lieutenant Aung Thu Min concluded.

In 2019, there were a total of 337 traffic accidents reported, killing 144 people and injuring 465, according to the state’s traffic police.