Over 3,000 died in road accidents in 2000

Road accidents have killed 3,627 people in 2000, while another 13,647 were seriously injured and 60,624 other suffered light injuries, says the equipment ministry.

Compared to 1999, the number of road accidents increased by 3.5% while the number of dead and injured persons grew respectively by 6.9% and 2.1%.

Out of the 48,370 road accidents, a total of 73.1% happened in urban areas and killed 1,117 people while the remaining 13,000 accidents happened in rural areas and killed 2,510 people.

Over 48.6 % of vehicles involved in accidents are over 10 years of age, and over 30.2 % are over 15 years of age. Also 40.6% of public and private goods and persons transportation vehicles (except for trains and taxis) which were involved in road accidents are aged over 10 years and more than 28.7% are aged over 15 years.