6 Apr 2011

2011 New Caledonia road toll doubles

1:19 pm on 6 April 2011

There has been a sharp increase in the road toll in New Caledonia.

In the first three months of this year, 20 people have been killed in a string of accidents, doubling the figure of the same period last year.

The crashes are being attributed to a loss of control of the vehicles, often as a result of excessive alcohol consumption or speed.

The local newspaper notes that accidents are most frequent at the weekend and often along the main axis north of Noumea.