Locals in Ann Twsp launch road safety campaign targeting Thingyan revellers

By DMG 11 Apr 2022

DMG Newsroom
11 April 2022,Sittwe 

Young local residents in the village of Rue, Ann Township, launched an online campaign on Sunday intended to raise road safety awareness during the Buddhist New Year. 

Ko Tun Min Zaw, information officer for the Go Green Rue group in Ann Township, Arakan State, told DMG that the campaign was targeted at Thingyan revellers. 

“Today, almost everyone has a car or a motorbike. And there are road casualties every year during Thingyan. Our campaign aims to raise public awareness about road safety. Many people know about traffic rules, and we highlight those rules in our campaign,” he said. 

On its Facebook page, the group has shared photos of young people holding placards that enumerate various traffic rules. 

The director of the Wan Lark Rural Foundation, U Khaing Kaung San, welcomed the online campaign, and urged the Arakanese people not to drive after drinking. 

“People will drink during the festival, and we can’t tell them not to drink. But they should be careful to avoid problems after drinking,” said U Khaing Kaung San. 

A total of 161 traffic accidents were reported in Arakan State from January through November of 2021, with 113 deaths and 255 injured. In 2019, there were 337 road accidents resulting in 144 deaths and 465 injured in Arakan State, and 219 accidents with 121 deaths and 268 injured in 2020, according to the state traffic police.