THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Road toll worse than last year on fifth day

Road toll worse than last year on fifth day

THE ROAD death toll passed last year’s figure on the fifth day of New Year’s so-called “Seven dangerous days” on the roads with nearly 300 people killed as of Saturday.

The Road Safety and Directing Centre (RSDC) yesterday revealed the road fatalities, injuries and accidents were significantly higher than during the same period last year.
As of Saturday, 292 deaths, 2,855 injuries and 2,753 accidents had been reported since Tuesday.
Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd praised the campaign of seizing vehicles of drunk drivers, as it had been successful and the government would consider enforcing this measure for all long holiday seasons.
“This measure has had good feedback from many organisations and road users. Moreover, it also resulted in officers inspecting cars for illegal things such as weaponry and drugs as well,” Sansern said.
Last year by the fifth day there had been 260 deaths, 2,542 injuries and 2,446 accidents, meaning 32 more deaths, 313 more injuries and 307 more accidents had been reported this year.
The centre disclosed that 26 per cent of road accidents were caused by drunk driving, the major reason for road accidents. That was followed by speeding at 17 per cent.
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director Chatchai Promlert said the accident statistics over the last five days were of concern.
“Today [yesterday] many people are on their journey home and many people drive very fast and cut in front of other cars at close range, which is very risky,” Chatchai said.
“Therefore, I ask the drivers to drive carefully, comply strictly with traffic rules and stop driving if they feel sleepy.” 
Chanchao Chiyanukit, a member of the national road acci-|dent prevention committee, said yesterday was the last day of the |long New Year holidays, so many people were travelling back home. The long drive many faced, coupled with weariness as a result of the New Year celebrations, may increase the risk of road accidents, Chanchao said.
“The RSDC has ordered more intensive traffic surveillance on the main highways to Bangkok, so the traffic rules are strictly enforced,” Chanchao said. “There will be more frequent inspections of drivers, especially for speeding and alcohol … and to keep drivers alert and reduce the chance of dozing off.”
Colonel Sirichan Ngathong, the National Council for Peace and Order deputy spokeswoman, revealed that 3,046 vehicles were seized and 30,152 people were charged with drink driving since December 25.
Taejing Siripanich, secretary-general of “Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation”, also complimented the measure. 
“The measure has cut down some of road accidents, but not much. Therefore, such a measure should be expanded and implemented for the whole year, not only for seven days, and stricter law enforcement should be used in order to effectively decrease road accidents,” Taejing said.
“This would be a good start that this government is paying attention to tackling road accidents.”
Sansern said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wanted more people to use minor roads when travelling over the holiday period, not drive too fast and not drive too tired.
He said the PM expressed his gratitude for the job done by officers who worked during the holiday.
Despite the number of road accidents being higher this year, he believed that all officers had done their best, Sansern said.
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