KARACHI, March 19: As many as 5,445 persons lost their lives in in 2001 in 10,481 accidents which occurred mainly owing to negligence of drivers and their ignorance about traffic rules.

The Federal Bureau of Statistics in its monthly “Statistical Bulletin” quoted that about 15 people fell victim to reckless driving while 37 sustained injuries every day in 2001.

Out of a total 10,481 reported accidents, 4,468 were fatal while some 6,013 non-fatal cases were also reported across the country.

The number of vehicles involved in the road mishaps stood at 11,210 which indicates that on average, three vehicles were involved in accidents daily.

In November 2001, the highest number of accidents (990) was recorded in which in which 496 people died. In December, around 1,308 people suffered injures.

A province-wise break-up of the accidents indicates that Punjab recorded 5,441 number of accidents out of which 2,628 were said to be fatal and while 2,813 proved non-fatal. In the densely-populated province of the country, some 3,271 people died in these accidents while about 7,213 received injuries in 2001 in which reportedly about 5,357 vehicles were involved.

In NWFP, 727 people lost their lives in these accidents, 3,004 persons were hospitalized. The number of vehicles involved in 632 fatal and 1857 non-fatal accidents stood at 2,723 in the province.—PPI