New Year road toll expected to drop

Between Thursday and Sunday, there were 2,300 road accidents as people travelled around the country on holiday and returned home to visit their families in the provinces.
Officials will tighten their monitoring of traffic conditions today, the last day of the designated holiday season, to prevent further casualties as people return to their normal places of residence, according to national police chief General Chakthip Chaijinda.

With one day to go, Chakthip said he expected the number of accidents and casualties to be down on last year.
He urged commuters to cooperate with officials and stick to traffic regulations for their own safety. “Drunk and fast driving over the speed limit is strictly prohibited,” he said. 
“Wearing helmets and seat belts are compulsory for all drivers and passengers,” he said, adding that using cell phones while driving was also against the law.
In one road smash in northern Chiang Mai province yesterday, a van overturned injuring at least 13 passengers as it was taking them to Doi Ang Kang mountain for the New Year, a rescue official said. 
In the Northeast Udon Thani province, Governor Wattana Wutthichart attended a provincial hospital to visit people injured in road accidents during the holiday season and claimed that his road safety campaign this year had helped reduced number of casualties.
It urged people to stop friends and family from driving if drunk. Officials at checkpoints have been ordered to stop all vehicles and be alert for drivers who appeared drunk, he said.