ຂປລ
Road accidents claimed 53 lives across Laos in August 2026, according to figures from the Traffic Police Department, although the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities declined compared with the previous period.
The department recorded 397 road accidents nationwide, down by 56 cases. The crashes damaged 721 vehicles, a decrease of 65, and injured 550 people, including 189 women, 145 fewer than in the previous period.
Of the 53 fatalities, 13 were women. The overall death toll fell by seven compared with the previous period.
Vientiane records highest number of accidents
Vientiane recorded the highest number of road accidents, with 116 cases in August, up by 22 from the previous period. The accidents damaged 238 vehicles, an increase of 39.
A total of 117 people were injured, 11 fewer than previously, while 18 people were killed, down by 12.
According to the Traffic Police Department, driving under the influence of alcohol was the leading cause of road accidents. Other major causes included speeding, unsafe changes of direction, failure to give way, dangerous overtaking, vehicle technical problems, and violations of traffic signs and restrictions.
Accidents were most frequent between 5pm and midnight, when 202 cases were recorded, followed by 151 cases between 8am and 4pm. Saturday recorded the highest number of accidents.
People aged 31–50 accounted for the largest share of those involved in accidents, followed by those aged 16–30. By occupation, manual workers recorded the highest number of accidents, followed by people engaged in trade and commerce.
Bokeo, Xayabouly, Houaphanh and Sekong provinces, as well as the expressway, reported no road fatalities during the month.
Despite the overall decline in accidents and casualties, road crashes continued to cause substantial economic losses. Property damage and other losses were estimated at LAK 40.05 billion (LAK 40,046,830,000), about LAK 22.8 million higher than in July.
KPL
