GPS devices in public transport might cut road deaths: minister

“We hope the GPS devices will boost safety, lower operation costs and raise satisfaction among the public,” Deputy Transport Minister Chatchart Sithipan said yesterday.
According to him, the study will explore guidelines and measures on how best to use the GPS devices in public transport vehicles and those carrying hazardous substances.
Chatchart expects the study to provide answers within four months.
“GPS installation should also be able to cut down road accidents,” Somchai Siriwattanachok, directorgeneral of the Land Transport Department, said confidently.
King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi will be providing academic cooperation.
Chatchart and Somchai were speaking at an event held to announce the launch of the study, which attracted about 250 participants from many relevant authorities, including bus service providers.
Chatchart said that apart from installing GPS devices, publictransport vehicles might also be required to have radiofrequency identification in the future.
“This system will detect speeding,” he said, adding that speeding was one of the leading causes of road accidents in addition to drivers falling asleep behind the wheel or driving recklessly.