Killer roads claim 498 lives

23 April 2013 03:35 am

At least five people died daily in the first three months of this year

Nearly 498 people were killed in 470 fatal road tragedies reported in the first three months of this year while the total number of accidents reported up to March is 2,218, police headquarters said.

Most of the deaths were reported from motorbike and trishaw accidents. A large number of pedestrians had also been killed.

Police said a large number of accidents were reported in April particularly during the National New Year festival period.

Recklessness, exhaustion, drunk driving, disobeying road rules and traffic signals are some of the reasons for such needless accidents. Pedestrians who fail to use zebra crossings fall easy prey to speeding vehicles.  

Last year more than 1,500 people were killed in road accidents.

Police said even though several awareness programmes were conducted, there was a significant increase in the number of road accidents every year. (SD)