Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A total of 710 people have been killed during the recent two-week Idul Fitri rushes on the country`s highways, police said.

"The number of traffic accidents from August 23 to September 5 reached 4,259 with 710 deaths," the head of the National Police`s public information bureau, Brigadier General Ketut Untung Yoga Ana, said here on Tuesday.

The police had conducted their "Ketupat Operation" to ensure smooth traffic flows during the Idul Fitri holiday season from August 23 to September 7.

During the same period last year, Yoga said, the number of traffic accidents was recorded at 3,296 with 771 deaths so that there was a hike of 1,003 cases.

"Ketupat Operation would be over in two days` time and an evaluation would be made on all aspects of the operation," he said.

He said that more than 50 percent of the accidents involved motor-cyclists.

"Several factors are involved in the accidents such as fatigue and lack of focus, using cellphones or chatting while riding that reduce concentration and focus others," he said.
(Uu.H-YH/HAJM/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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