93 Dead, 575 Injured in Two Days of New Year Road Crashes

[Georgealbert]

 

 

 

A total of 93 fatalities and 575 injuries have been reported across Thailand over the first two days of the New Year’s holiday period, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

 

At a press briefing held at 10:30 on 29 December, Chakri Bamrungwong, Inspector-General of the Ministry of Transport, outlined statistics from the national campaign to reduce road crashes during the New Year festivities.

 

On 28 December, the second day of the 10-day safety campaign, there were 269 road crashes resulting in 257 injuries and 38 deaths. The primary cause of accidents was speeding, accounting for 38.29% of incidents, followed by poor visibility (21.56%) and sudden lane changes (19.33%).

 

Motorcycles were involved in 85.4% of accidents, with straight roads accounting for 86.25% of all incidents. Highways saw the most accidents (44.98%), followed by roads in villages and subdistricts (28.25%). Most crashes occurred between 18:01 and 19:00.

 

The majority of victims were aged 40-49, comprising 15.93% of those killed or injured. Authorities have set up 1,770 main checkpoints nationwide, staffed by over 50,000 personnel.

 

Ayutthaya and Chiang Rai provinces reported the highest number of crashes (13 each) on 28 December, while Chiang Rai recorded the most injuries (13). Phang Nga and Nong Bua Lamphu provinces had the highest death toll, with three fatalities each.

 

Over the first two days of the campaign (27-28 December), there have been 592 accidents, 575 injuries, and 93 deaths. Ayutthaya recorded the highest cumulative number of accidents (27) and injuries (24), while Nakhon Si Thammarat had the most fatalities (5).

 

With millions of people travelling over the holiday period, authorities are emphasising strict enforcement of traffic laws, particularly speed limits. Public transport drivers are under increased scrutiny, with checks on their working hours, alcohol consumption, and rest periods at service points.

 

Special attention is being given to crash-prone areas, such as railway crossings, intersections, and roadside parking zones. Additional checkpoints and inspections have been implemented to address driver fatigue, especially on long, straight routes.

 

To further enhance safety, the Ministry of Transport has activated its Traffic Safety Operations Centre, integrating data from 454 CCTV cameras across eight agencies to monitor traffic conditions. Violations, such as speeding or extended driving hours, are flagged to the Department of Land Transport for immediate action.

 

Local authorities, police, military, and volunteers are working together to operate checkpoints, community patrols, and service stations. Efforts include awareness campaigns to discourage dangerous behaviours such as drink-driving, speeding, and neglecting safety equipment.

 

Despite these efforts, the high number of fatalities and injuries underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and stricter measures to ensure safer travel during the holiday season.

 

Related article:

 

First Day of Thailand’s “10 Dangerous Days” Sees 52 Deaths and 318 Injuries: 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1347375-first-day-of-thailand’s-“10-dangerous-days”-sees-52-deaths-and-318-injuries/

 

-- 2024-12-29

 

 

[Keep Right]

"Motorcycles were involved in 85.4% of accidents"

 

[blaze master]

The wheels on the bus go round and round. 

[novacova]

We’ve driven through a couple of these checkpoints so far, wasn’t checked and waved through and apparently so was the idiot driving behind us last night.

[bokningar]

The check points is a joke with sleeping people in them. Most of us has passed/seen them over the years. Same every songkran and New Year.

 

[ikke1959]

Check points are no use... In 20 years I live here I never was halted on New Year or Songkran, but only on week days to check the sticker for the tax payment... Nothing more never asked for a drivers license even...It sounds great to make road safer, but they don't do anything about it in reality

[treetops]

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A total of 93 fatalities and 575 injuries have been reported across Thailand over the first two days of the New Year’s holiday period, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

 

So 52 reported yesterday added to the 38 today makes a total of 93?

 

 

[lordgrinz]

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Despite these efforts, the high number of fatalities and injuries underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and stricter measures to ensure safer travel during the holiday season.

 

How about ensuring safer travel every day, not just during holidays, or would that be too much to ask for? 

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A total of 93 fatalities and 575 injuries have been reported across Thailand over the first two days of the New Year’s holiday period, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

They should be proud that their campaign is working so well.

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

How about ensuring safer travel every day, not just during holidays, or would that be too much to ask for? 

yes

[mdr224]

Something thailand can say they are number one in the whole world

[willip]

The percentage is amazing. If only they could put as much effort in actual policing the roads. The roads are very dangerous places. Especially because not many thais have a license, meaning no insurance. I've seen the driving standards at the driving exam centers. 

VERY POOR. just a quick and easy test. Same as the lorrys.  

Don't even have to go on the road!!!.it's time the government makes passing the driving test difficult.  Make them drive on the roads just like the west.

Be stricter with the laws.insurance? have a points system. Put driving bans into force .driving standards are ridiculous here. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN TAUGHT PROPERLY  . You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.!!!!!

[Zack61]

17 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities have set up 1,770 main checkpoints nationwide, staffed by over 50,000 personnel.

Just how the fark do these CPs work to reduce road fatalities?

They are nothing more than choke points. 

[quake]

36 minutes ago, willip said:

The percentage is amazing. If only they could put as much effort in actual policing the roads. The roads are very dangerous places. Especially because not many thais have a license, meaning no insurance. I've seen the driving standards at the driving exam centers. 

VERY POOR. just a quick and easy test. Same as the lorrys.  

Don't even have to go on the road!!!.it's time the government makes passing the driving test difficult.  Make them drive on the roads just like the west.

Be stricter with the laws.insurance? have a points system. Put driving bans into force .driving standards are ridiculous here. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN TAUGHT PROPERLY  . You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.!!!!!

 

All very true.

and if all you said was done.

They would just carry on same as before. Got the license, got the insurance. job done.

Carry on regardless.

It's mostly an attitude problem here.

They know when they are doing bad stuff on the roads, they just don't care, to selfish, to stupid, to fast.

How do you cure that. Maybe hit them with they big money stick. ?

The Thai's need to change on many issues, but most just don't care.

T.I.T

 

 

 

[Ralf001]

55 minutes ago, mdr224 said:

Something thailand can say they are number one in the whole world

 

Thailand not even in the top ten !

[Cliffo]

Use this link  https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/road-traffic-accidents/by-country/ to find actual statistics. The worst countries are mainly African. Thailand is #47 on the list of fatalities per 100,000 ppl. India #90, China #96 although in those countries many people don't have access to vehicles, and probably under report. USA # 120, Australia #158, Germany #170, UK #173. All out of 183 listed.

[kuzmabruk]

17 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Special attention is being given to crash-prone areas

Don’t forget to include sidewalks where high speed small brained twerps ride their imaginary racing bikes

[dinsdale]

17 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

 

Motorcycles were involved in 85.4% of accidents

Of course what this doesn't say is how many idiot car drivers were involved and/or caused the motorcycle crashes.

[quake]

1 minute ago, kuzmabruk said:

Don’t forget to include sidewalks where high speed small brained twerps ride their imaginary racing bikes

 

 There's no need to start talking about the police like that.

Show some respect. 

[dinsdale]

1 minute ago, Cliffo said:

Use this link  https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/road-traffic-accidents/by-country/ to find actual statistics. The worst countries are mainly African. Thailand is #47 on the list of fatalities per 100,000 ppl. India #90, China #96 although in those countries many people don't have access to vehicles, and probably under report. USA # 120, Australia #158, Germany #170, UK #173. All out of 183 listed.

It depends on how road fatalities are measured. I've heard died at the scene I've also heard died within 24 hrs. of the crash. Either way it definitely skews the number downwards. 

[parallelman]

43 minutes ago, willip said:

The percentage is amazing. If only they could put as much effort in actual policing the roads. The roads are very dangerous places. Especially because not many thais have a license, meaning no insurance. I've seen the driving standards at the driving exam centers. 

VERY POOR. just a quick and easy test. Same as the lorrys.  

Don't even have to go on the road!!!.it's time the government makes passing the driving test difficult.  Make them drive on the roads just like the west.

Be stricter with the laws.insurance? have a points system. Put driving bans into force .driving standards are ridiculous here. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN TAUGHT PROPERLY  . You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.!!!!!

Agreed...up to a point. No matter how well they are taught or how tough the driving test might be once free on the road the mindset doesn't change. Me first...foot down hard, 'look I can drive fast', can't lose face, amulates will keep me safe... etc. Their whole philosphy towards driving on the road has to change and I can't see that happening because it stems from so many other cultural factors.

[Jumbo1968]

What’s the point in a CP, people will just avoid them, better to have police patrol cars patrolling the roads and stopping suspected vehicles randomly.

[Yagoda]

I never understood why they dont actually patrol the highways. You see more cops in Montana highways than THailand

[TigerandDog]

59 minutes ago, Cliffo said:

Use this link  https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/road-traffic-accidents/by-country/ to find actual statistics. The worst countries are mainly African. Thailand is #47 on the list of fatalities per 100,000 ppl. India #90, China #96 although in those countries many people don't have access to vehicles, and probably under report. USA # 120, Australia #158, Germany #170, UK #173. All out of 183 listed.

you can't take any notice of the Thai road toll numbers because they ONLY count those dead at the scene of the accident. No accounting for those that die from their injuries. They just get included in the injuries number. The actual road toll would be thousands more if the numbers were correctly and honestly recorded.

[TigerandDog]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Of course what this doesn't say is how many idiot car drivers were involved and/or caused the motorcycle crashes.

There's not always a car driver involved, but from what I've witnessed over the past 10 years, 99% of the time it's the pee brained motor cyclist at fault. They ride their motor bikes with gay abandon displaying their impatience, the mentality of a a person with a death wish.

[pomchop]

22 minutes ago, TigerandDog said:

There's not always a car driver involved, but from what I've witnessed over the past 10 years, 99% of the time it's the pee brained motor cyclist at fault. They ride their motor bikes with gay abandon displaying their impatience, the mentality of a a person with a death wish.

and usually no helmet as part of a death wish...i guess if you don't have a brain then why wear a helmet ?

[zyphodb]

19 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

with straight roads accounting for 86.25% of all incidents.

 

This one line says it all...

[KannikaP]

19 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities have set up 1,770 main checkpoints nationwide, staffed by over 50,000 personnel.

So that is an average of 28 people at each one doing say 8 hours shifts, making nine at each checkpoint.

That's a lot of people to sit around one television!

[Davedub]

So many numbers and stats - with zero context!

 

These numbers would hold far more meaning if they were compared against accident rates outside the festive period

[connda]

93 Dead, 575 Injured in Two Days of New Year Road Crashes

 

Pretty much two normal days on the road in Thailand.