DLT inspections to make roads safer this Songkran
In an effort to boost road safety during Songkran, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) has started inspecting drivers and the condition of public transport vehicles at 195 transportation hubs and locations nationwide.
DLT deputy director-general Kamon Buranapong said the vehicle inspections involve the DLT, Transport Co, the Office of Vocational Education Commission, army, police and local administrators.
The checks, which began on Thursday and will continue until the end of the Songkran period on April 17, are intended to reduce the number of accidents involving public transport vehicles from last year's Songkran statistics.
Vehicles found to be in a dangerous condition will be pulled over and sprayed "cannot use" on vehicle's body and drivers' sobriety tests will intensify during the period.
A total of 18 vehicle inspection centres, focusing on chartered buses and vans, will be set up on main and secondary roads in 17 provinces including Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Lampang, he said.
The DLT will also ensure that there are a sufficient number of buses to cater to the higher volumes of travellers during the holiday period.
He warned transport drivers and operators not to take advantage of holiday travellers by over-charging fares or failing to take them to the agreed destinations as such actions could lead to driver's licence suspension or revocation.
He urged people to alert the DLT of problems via the hotline 1584 around the clock.