A total of 171 people have been killed and 956 injured in road accidents across Thailand during the first four days of the “seven dangerous days” New Year road safety campaign, with speeding and drink-driving the main causes.
The number of fatalities was 6% higher than in the same four-day period a year ago, official figures show.
The Road Safety Centre reported 187 accidents nationwide on Friday, resulting in 185 injuries and 21 fatalities, Justice Minister Rutthapon Naowarat said on Saturday.
The main causes of the accidents on Friday were speeding, accounting for 35.3% of cases, followed by drink-driving at 21.4%.
Motorcycles were involved in 72.9% of all accidents. Most crashes occurred on straight roads (86.1%), with highways under the Department of Highways accounting for 47.1%.
The highest number of injuries and fatalities was among those aged 20–29, at 15.5%, said Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon.
The provinces recording the highest number of accidents on Jan 2 were Prachin Buri and Phatthalung, with 10 each. Phatthalung had the highest number of injuries (12), while Bueng Kan recorded the most fatalities (3).
Cumulative figures over the four-day period from Dec 30 to Jan 2 showed a total of 991 accidents, a decrease of 6.3% from 1,058 in the same period a year ago. Fatalities totalled 171, compared with 161 a year ago, and injuries 956, down from 1,058 last year.
So far this year, Phuket has recorded the highest number of accidents (39) and injuries (43), while Bangkok had the highest death toll, with 14 fatalities.
Probation cases linked to traffic offences over the four-day period totalled 2,793, with drink-driving accounting for 94.4%, said the justice minister.
Repeat offenders face up to two years in prison, fines of up to 100,000 baht, and licence suspension for at least one year, or permanent revocation. If drunk driving causes injury or death, penalties increase by 50%, said Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon.
Theerapat Kachamat, head of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said traffic volume remained high on Saturday as people continued returning to Bangkok and other destinations.
The Road Safety Centre has instructed officials in all provinces and local administrations to intensify vehicle checkpoints and community roadblocks to curb risky behavior, speeding and drink-driving, said Mr Theerapat, who serves as secretary of the center.
Traffic is heavy on Mittraparb Road in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Saturday afternoon as New Year holiday-makers start returning to Bangkok and other provinces. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)
Source: Bangkok Post