| July 16, 2011
Bali’s roads have become the scene of unprecedented carnage, with 758 people dying in traffic accidents in just three months, 200 more fatalities than all of last year, police said on Friday.
An average of more than eight people a day died on the resort island’s roads in March, April and May.
“This has become a great concern,” said Sr. Comr. Syauqie Ahmad, head of the Bali Police’s traffic department.
He said May was the deadliest month, with 286 deaths and 360 injuries, followed by March with 248 dead and 302 injured. The death toll in April was 224, with another 281 injured.
Syauqie said 541 people died in traffic accidents in all of 2010.
He said he believed the rise in fatalities was linked to the increase in the number of vehicles on the island.
In 2006 1.58 million vehicles were registered on the island. That number has risen to 2.35 million so far this year.
(x the JG)
za 16 jul 2011 - 23:58