Drunk-driving the culprit as accidents see a sharp spike

[webfact]

Drunk-driving the culprit as accidents see a sharp spike

By THE NATION

 

 

The number of road accidents saw a sharp increase on the third of the “Seven Dangerous Days” of Songkran this year, as more people were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol besides being guilty of speeding.
 

The Road Safety Operations Centre (RSOC) yesterday revealed that 700 accidents had been recorded in the 24 hours of Saturday, killing 67 persons and injured 733. Drunk-driving and speeding remained the biggest causes of death during the festive season. Local authorities have been ordered to impose even stricter law enforcement to prevent traffic accidents during the rest of the Seven Dangerous Days.

 

 

Cultural Promotion Department director-general Chai Nakhonchai revealed that deaths from road traffic injuries had reached 174 yesterday, while the number of injuries were at 1,728 from 1,665 recorded accidents during the first three days of the annual road safety promotion week.

 

Though Thailand’s roads were comparatively safer than the previous year at this stage, with a decline in the number of deaths, injuries and accidents, the data still underlined persistent dangerous behaviour resulting from drunk-driving, which remains a major factor behind the deadly traffic accidents.

 

Chai said that since people had started Songkran celebrations – splashing water on the streets and partying with alcohol – traffic accidents had seen a steep spike, especially on minor roads. Some 700 accidents were reported yesterday alone, compared to the number of accidents on the first two days – 467 and 498 respectively.

 

He said the RSOC had identified drunk-driving as the most prominent cause of road accidents, contributing to 42.71 per cent of the accidents on Saturday, while speeding was the second major cause, contributing to 26.14 per cent of overall accidents.

 

It was also revealed that 81.08 per cent of traffic accidents involved motorcycles, while 63,196 motorcyclists were arrested for not wearing a helmet.

He said the RSOC has ordered police in each locality to go for stricter enforcement of the laws and look for dangerous driving behaviour such as drunk driving and speeding.

 

Thanapong Jinvong, manager of Road Safety Group Thailand, said yesterday that the number of deaths from road accidents between April 11-13 dropped to 174, down 17.14 per cent from the same period last year.

 

“The death toll remained high and most road accidents involved drunken drivers,” said Thanapong, who is also secretary of Road Safety Foundation.

 

 

The number of injured was 1,728, compared to 1,934 last year, while road accidents were 1,665, compared to 1,846 last year.

 

He also raised concern over weak law enforcement by the Criminal Court.

 

Although the government has a policy to impose heavy penalties on drunken drivers, judges think otherwise, he lamented.

 

Judges are worried that government guidelines may run against the spirit of law, he said. He pointed out that the penal code stated an accident caused by a drunk driver that causes death is punishable with a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine of Bt200,000.

 

Most legal cases brought before the court in the past have resulted in jail and fines for wrongdoers. However, the judges often suspended the jail penalty when defendants confessed to their inappropriate actions, he said.

 

He said Thai court practices do not meet international standards, which imposes severe penalty for drunken driving on the ground of criminal intent.

In Japan, the jail term is between 15 and 20 years and in most cases the court hands down jail terms, because a wrongdoer’s action is deemed to have criminal intent not simply negligence, he said.

 

In Thailand, regarding drunk driving, the court applies Article 291 of the penal code which states that those who negligently cause the death of other people will be subject to jail terms not exceeding 10 years. “The wrongdoer’s actions are considered to be negligence, according to Thai court practices,” Thanapong pointed out.

 

“In some cases, Thai courts reject the case filed by policemen and public prosecutors who accuse drunken drivers of criminal intent, because the court considers the actions as simply negligence,” he lamented.

 

He further said that if Thai courts do not suspend a jail term, the current Thai law is quite adequate. Imprisonments will send a strong message to the public and combined with public education, it is possible to prevent or lessen the traffic crimes committed by drunken motorists, he argued.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30367690

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-04-15

[RotBenz8888]

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

Drunk-driving and speeding remained the biggest causes of death during the festive season.

And stupidity?

[bluesofa]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Cultural Promotion Department director-general Chai Nakhonchai revealed that deaths from road traffic injuries had reached 174 yesterday, while the number of injuries were at 1,728 from 1,665 recorded accidents during the first three days of the annual road safety promotion week.

Interesting.

<Sarcasm mode: on>

Does this mean that drink-driving as well as all other causes of 'accidents' are a cultural thing and are being promoted?

Nothing to do with an absolute lack of responsibility or complying with the law. What a revelation, all these years I've completely misunderstood the causes.

To think, if I'd happened to have been born here, then it would absolve me of being guilty of causing any of these 'accidents'.

<Sarcasm mode: off>

 

[Justgrazing]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Though Thailand’s roads were comparatively safer than the previous year at this stage, with a decline in the number of deaths, injuries and accidents, the data still underlined persistent dangerous behaviour resulting from drunk-driving, which remains a major factor behind the deadly traffic accidents.

Comparatively safer .! The reality is go out on the roads especially this time of year and the chances of getting speared , flattened or generally mashed up by someone driving pissed are always there .. To suggest that it is comparatively safer is like comparing jumping off a cliff opposed to a tall building .. 

[Hank Gunn]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He also raised concern over weak law enforcement by the Criminal Court.

Should read: “He also raised concerns over non-existent law enforcement by the Criminal Court.

[Emdog]

Drunk driving may be the culprit, but aided and abetted by police and justice system for non enforcement of laws. "A rule that is not enforced cease to be a rule"

[wgdanson]

9 hours ago a dramatic drop, now a spike????

[Paul Henry]

63,196 ARRESTED for not wearing helmets.Never seen any Thai arrested for not wearing helmets normally a fine or hand over lunch money. Is this a new policy or poor reporting?

[Vacuum]

18 minutes ago, Paul Henry said:

63,196 ARRESTED for not wearing helmets.Never seen any Thai arrested for not wearing helmets normally a fine or hand over lunch money. Is this a new policy or poor reporting?

The latter would be my guess.

[worrab]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He said the RSOC has ordered police in each locality to go for stricter enforcement of the laws and look for dangerous driving behaviour such as drunk driving and speeding.

I find this comment totally farcical!! Since when did they leave their iphones and shaded tents to go out patrolling the roads to look for these offences? 

[Crj1948]

From Bangsaray to Pattaya this morning lots of motorcyclists no helmets, one young lady in the middle lane texting, speeding no helmet but was wearing a face mask so not going to die from poor air quality 

[observer90210]

Surely the laws exist as thai lawmakers are obviously no better or worse the else where. It how the laws are applied that could be at fault perhaps ?

 

How can any law be applied, if it's enforcement (or rather non-enforcement????)  depends solely on the figure on the THB note ?

 

How can laws be enforced if all the trafic cops out hunting are solely tracking farangs on their bikes as the tea money bribe amount is obviously higher (then the fine)  to be let off ?

Edited April 15, 2019 by observer90210

[johnny49r]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

RSOC had identified drunk-driving as the most prominent cause of road accidents

The authorities are quite good at stating the obvious but none of their actions have improved road safety. Same festival, same carnage, different year.

 

[Brigand]

Until there is meaningful law enforcement here then it is all just academic. They report these "figures" that make it to the press and they can be questioned on many grounds, but I think the real deal is way more scary ... too scary to publish the facts. It's good that they are trying to do something about it but you need to enact laws and say "That's how it is" and not just cave-in because everyone has a hissy-fit about the government trying to be safety minded by pointing out that people shouldn't be in the back of pickups asking for death ... not to mention the invalidation of insurance etc.

I could go on for a while but would be insulting to the TV posters to do so as it's 101 stuff here. 

[khunpa]

Another post states a “dramatic drop”????? So why is it??? Spike or drop???

[TheHangingJudge]

^{Any judicial judge who hands down a suspended sentence for drink driving where death has occurred is unfit for purpose and should be deeply ashamed.}

Edited April 15, 2019 by TheHangingJudge
Typos

[Suzy]

I thought there was a ban on the sale of alcohol over this holiday. However in the Kannayao area, local restaurants were selling beer over the entire weekend. So next year if you want a drink you know where to go!

[Vacuum]

15 minutes ago, Suzy said:

So next year if you want a drink you know where to go!

Who would want to wait one year for a drink?

[monkeycu]

20 hours ago, wgdanson said:

9 hours ago a dramatic drop, now a spike????

7 / 11 have opened the alcohol sales

[ChrisY1]

Cha Am beach chairs....Bkk people sit there all weekend ..heaps of beer, Hong Thong, Regency and etc....then in the afternoon, all pile into the pick-up and drive home.

Perfectly normal behaviour...and repeated each week!......But of course, there's heaps of buddha stuff on the dash and hanging from the mirror !

Edited April 16, 2019 by ChrisY1

[actonion]

It would be  better if the police understood  the highway code too...or should i say rules of the road

[Stokakrishna]

...Drunk-driving and speeding remained the biggest causes of death during the festive season...

 

i wonder what is the cause of deaths in every other day of the year

[Sonhia]

This is Thai mentality mind set.

 

Excessiveness. Over the top. Lack or respect.

 

Up to you. Up to me, attitude.