Vientiane: A total of 17 people lost their lives in road accidents across Laos during the five-day New Year celebration period.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the Lao Ministry of Public Security reported on Monday that 170 accidents were recorded nationwide from December 29, 2024, to January 2, 2025. In addition to the fatalities, 279 individuals sustained injuries, and 314 vehicles were damaged during this time.
Champasak province experienced the highest number of incidents, with 23 accidents resulting in two deaths. The Lao capital, Vientiane, followed with 20 accidents and one fatality.
The primary causes of these accidents were identified as drunken driving, overspeeding, failure to give way, sudden changes in direction, poor mechanical conditions of vehicles, driving in the wrong lane, and other forms of reckless driving.
In response to these incidents, Laos’ Ministry of Public Security issued guidelines aimed at reducing the number of accidents during the New Year period.