VIENTIANE, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Traffic accidents killed 38 in five days of the New Year celebration in Laos.

A total of 38 people died and 256 were injured in 187 road accidents across the country during the New Year celebration, with most incidents caused by drunk driving and speeding, local daily Vientiane Times quoted police statistics as reporting on Thursday.

The statistics were recorded during the five days from Dec. 28, 2018 to Jan. 1, 2019 and complied by the Traffic Police Department under the Lao Ministry of Public Security. Moreover, 323 vehicles were damaged in the crashes.

The capital Vientiane reported the highest number of crashes with 43 which resulted in the deaths of 12 people.

According to the department, in the same period of last year, 27 people died and 280 were injured in 179 road accidents across Laos.