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Road accidents kill over 15,000 in first quarter

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-05 11:56

BEIJING -- China saw 52,661 road accidents in the first quarter, which left 15,464 people killed and 63,102 injured, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

The figures dropped by 16.4 percent, 4.3 percent and 14.1 percent respectively year-on-year, the ministry said on its website.

The accidents also resulted in 200 million yuan ($29.4 million) direct economic loss, down 25 percent, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, public security departments nationwide intensified efforts to straighten out activities in violation of traffic regulations during the Spring Festival holiday period and in following months, resulting in drop of traffic violations featured by speeding, drowsy driving, drunk driving and overloading of passengers. Accidents on expressways and national highways continued to drop, said the ministry.