VIENTIANE: At least 23 people were killed and hundreds more injured in road accidents nationwide during the “five dangerous days” of the 2026 New Year period, according to figures released by the Traffic Police Department.
Head of the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security, Colonel Khamson Sidavong, said the numbers covered the five days from Dec 29 to Jan 2, a time marked by increased travel, family gatherings, and festive activities.
The figures serve to highlight the dangerous conditions on the country’s roads during public holidays and festivals, he added.
Nationwide, 172 traffic accidents were recorded over the 2026 New Year celebrations, just two more than last year.
There was a slight decline in the number of people injured at 277, while 302 vehicles weredamaged, a decrease of 13 compared with the previous New Year period.
Over the five days, police recorded 1,177 traffic violations. Of these, 816 offenders were educated about the error of their ways and let off with a warning, while 76 received written warnings, reflecting an emphasis on accident prevention and public awareness alongside law enforcement measures.
Vientiane traffic police logged the highest number of accidents at 39, nearly double the figure recorded last year. Nine people died, eight more than last year, while 49 people were injured, an increase of 26. In addition, 75 vehicles were damaged, 32 more than last year.
Several provinces also recorded high accident rates over the New Year period. Savannakhet reported 23 cases, followed by Vientiane province with 16, and Luang Prabang and Attapeu each with 15 cases.
Traffic police identified speeding as the main cause of accidents, accounting for 59 cases, followed by failure to yield the right-of-way (33 cases) and drunk driving (32 cases).
Other contributing factors included sudden changes of direction, unsafe overtaking, mechanical failures, and failure to keep to the right side of the road.
Colonel Khamson also gave a summary of traffic accident statistics for the whole of 2025. Nationwide, 6,779 accidents were reported, a slight decrease compared to 2024, while fatalities fell to 917, down by 12.
However, the number of injuries increased to 10,464, and more vehicles were damaged, totalling 12,158.
Authorities once again urged motorists to drive responsibly, obey speed limits, and avoid alcohol consumption when driving, warning that holiday periods remain among the most dangerous times for road users. - Vientiane Times/ANN
