THE DEPARTMENT of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) is adjusting its control measures after 153 people died and 1,322 got injured in 1,339 road accidents during the first three days of the New Year holidays (Dec. 29-Dec. 31) with Chiang Mai having the most accidents while 40 provinces did not report any road deaths, Sanook.com said today (Jan. 1).
Mr. Buntham Lertsukhikasem, the department’s head, said his agency together with its network partners compiled the road accident statistics and on New Year’s Eve, which this the third day of its campaign “New way of life, drive safely, no accidents,” there were 555 accidents, 65 deaths and 535 injuries nationwide.
The biggest cause of the accidents was speeding, totalling 36.40 percent, followed by drinking and driving, 34.77 percent, with the highest number of accidents involving motorcycles, 85.41 percent.
Most of these accidents, totalling 80.18 percent, occurred on straight roads while 36.04 percent happened on highways and subdistrict administrative organisation and village roads.
The biggest number of accidents, 21.44 percent, occurred from 6.01 p.m. to 9 p.m. and it is those in the 30 – 39 age group who suffered the highest number of injuries and fatalities.
Altogether 1,907 main checkpoints have been established and manned by 66,969 operators with 369,802 vehicles inspected and 86,358 road users prosecuted, of whom 24,992 were guilty of not wearing a helmet and 22,518 driving without licence.
Over the three-day period the province with the highest cumulative accidents was Chiang Mai, 57 times, and Nakhon Ratchasima had the most road fatalities at nine. Chiang Mai also had the most injuries with 51 having so suffered.
DDPM is now adjusting its plans and has ordered provincial authorities to move the checkpoints in accordance to the situation and more strictly check whether drivers have a licence during the accident prone hours from 6.01 p.m. to 9 p.m. They should ensure both drivers and passengers wear seat belts.
CAPTION:
A bad New Year’s Eve accident. The Thai headline says, “153 dead.” Photo: Sanook.com
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