At 15 deaths per 100,000 people per year, Myanmar stands below the world average of 18. Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Laos, Timor Leste, Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, and Cambodia all have more road deaths per capita than Myanmar.

As roads improve in quality or more helmetless motorcycles hit the road, or both, the number may increase. Speeding and poor road design on the Yangon/Naypyitaw highway account for a disproportionate number of deaths. Alcohol and darkness contribute. And so does poor emergency care. Is there a national programme to chance any of these factors?

Jamie

++++++++++++++++++

Road accidents kill 11 people per day in Myanmar
Xinhua
May 02,2015

YANGON, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Road accidents killed 11 lives per day on average in Myanmar, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 4,000 people a year, according to the Traffic Rule Enforcement Supervisory Committee on Saturday.

Most accidents on city streets are caused by speeding, unsafe overtaking, drunk driving and lack of driving experience, said the committee.

With an influx of imported cars following the government's relaxation of rules and regulations on vehicle imports, roads, especially in Yangon, are becoming congested, resulting in a greater number of crashes.

Since 1992, Myanmar's Ministry of Health in cooperation with the World Health Organization has carried out "Injury Prevention Project" which is ongoing across the country to reduce deaths and injuries resulting from traffic-related and work-related accidents.

Myanmar will take part in the third UN Global Road Safety Week set to be held from May 4 to 10 this year.

Statistics show that the number of registered vehicles operating in Myanmar stood at 4.2 million in the fiscal year 2013- 14, of which motorcycles accounted for 3.6 million.

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=279921