Centre puts road safety first as Songkran holiday period begins
Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda presided over the opening of the Road Safety Directing Centre on Monday in a bid to reduce road deaths and injuries and promote safe driving behaviour during the Songkran period from Tuesday until next Monday.
Meanwhile, Nakhon Ratchasima Transport Office got the cooperation of the 900-member Northeastern Transport Association in stopping 90 per cent of their 10,000 trucks using Mitraparp Highway, the No 304 road (Kabin Buri-Nakhon Ratchasima) and the No 24 elevated road (Sikhieo-Ubonj Ratchathani) during the holiday period.
The remainder of the trucks, which deliver gasoline, gas, fresh food and other essential commodities would continue to use main roads, said provincial governor Wichian Chantharanothai.
The Mitraparp Highway on Monday saw a higher volume of traffic, but cars progress slowly, as officials were prepared for severe traffic jams.
At the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department in Bangkok, Anupong, in his capacity as the centre's chairman, said various measures such as vehicle regulation, road safety measures, stringent law enforcement, emergency rescue procedures, and maritime safety measures would be implemented during Songkran.
He said he would also discuss with related agencies and local bodies to enforce the strict traffic regulations all year round and intensify them during festivals.
This would included the added checkpoints and the implementation of the 46/2558 junta order to seize vehicles from drunk drivers as well as the recent stricter orders on use of seatbelts.
Meanwhile, the Expressway Authority of Thailand joined the Songkran road accident-reducing efforts by setting up six service centres in Bangkok, including the outbound tollways of Bang Pa-in, Bang Na, and Bang Kaew while also waiving toll fees for the Bang Na to Chonburi expressway from April 11 to 18.