Booze ban urged to cut holiday toll
Authorities must ban sales of alcohol during long holidays to reduce fatalities and accidents, the head of an anti-alcohol network said yesterday as 285 deaths were reported over six of the seven dangerous days of the Songkran holiday.
Songkran Pakchokdee, director of the Anti-Alcohol Organisations Network, said the severity of accidents during long holidays, like Songkran and New Year, had been a constant story over the years. Drunk driving had been a major factor in these casualties during such celebration periods, especially among youngsters riding motorcycles.
The Road Safety Centre reported 285 deaths and 2,783 injuries in 2,581 road accidents from Thursday to Tuesday. Thursday alone saw 30 deaths, 344 injuries and 291 accidents.
The same period last year reported 282 deaths, 3,059 injuries and 2,872 road accidents.
Pol Lt-General Ruengsak Jarit-ek, assistant commissioner-general, said drunk driving, speeding and reckless driving remained the major cause of accidents, with most deaths and injuries among residents of local neighbourhoods.
Songkran said prohibition |of alcohol sales during the long holiday would prevent intoxicated locals from riding motorcycles or leaving home to buy alcoholic beverages.
“We would not prohibit them from drinking. They could buy alcoholic beverages and store them at home before the holiday. We just want people to drink and stay at home after getting drunk.
“We found fewer accidents in areas with alcohol sale controls in 66 provinces,” he said, adding that a survey team found 700-800 vendors selling alcohol on Silom Road, a venue famous for Songkran water celebrations.
“More than 10,000 people are killed in road accidents every year, and 40-50 per cent of them are caused by drunk driving,” said Songkran.
“The long celebration periods are seen as high season among big booze companies. They usually offer special promotions and hold attractive events to reach out to more customers,” he added.
Thus, his network would continue to propose relevant ministers issue a ban on alcohol sales during the periods.
“The ban will help bring down the number of accidents and losses. Authorities must seriously enforce existing relevant laws as well control the companies and other violators,” Songkran added.
