DDPM Launches Five-Point Road Safety Strategy as Songkran Holiday Gets Underway

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of DDPM.

 

As the Songkran holiday period begins, authorities have stepped up efforts to reduce road traffic accidents nationwide with the implementation of a five-pronged safety strategy. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) held a press conference on 12 April, at the Road Safety Command Centre to outline key measures aimed at protecting lives during one of Thailand’s most dangerous travel periods.

 

Mr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary for Public Health and Chair of the Road Safety Command Centre for Songkran 2025, announced the campaign under the theme “Safe Driving, Thailand Without Accidents”. The safety initiative runs from 11–17 April 2025, focusing on integrated enforcement, community participation, and data-driven planning.

 

 

The five primary measures being enforced are:

 

1. Prevention of road accidents

2. Reduction of accident risk factors

3. Multi-agency collaboration

4. Strict law enforcement

5. Raising public awareness on road safety

 

Emphasis is placed on real-time data analysis to tailor strategies to specific regions, including targeted law enforcement on speeding and drink-driving, as well as tighter regulation of alcohol sales. Sales of alcohol outside legal hours or to individuals under 20 are strictly prohibited.

Authorities are also deploying “community checkpoints” and “family watch groups” to monitor at-risk behaviours. Safe water play areas and public service points have been established to assist travellers and revellers throughout the holiday.

 

Mr. Opas stressed that a significant number of accidents are caused by driver behaviour. “Most accidents stem from speeding, abrupt lane changes, and drink-driving,” he said, urging local agencies to raise public awareness and strictly monitor high-risk conduct.

 

11 April Road Safety Statistics

 

On the first day of the campaign (11 April), Thailand recorded:

 

• 211 road accidents

• 201 injuries

• 27 fatalities

 

Key statistics included:

 

• Leading cause: Speeding (40.76%), followed by abrupt lane changes (24.64%) and drink-driving (22.75%)

• Vehicle type most involved: Motorcycles (83.64%)

• Location: 86.26% of incidents occurred on straight roads

• Time of day: Most accidents took place between 12:01–21:00

• Most affected age group: 60–69 years (20.18%)

 

The provinces with the highest accident rates were:

 

• Mukdahan: Highest number of accidents (11) and injuries (12)

• Bangkok: Highest number of fatalities (5)

 

A total of 1,737 checkpoints have been set up, manned by over 50,000 personnel nationwide.

 

Deputy Director-General of DDPM, Mr. Saharat Wongsakulwiwat, added that safety of on-duty officers must also be prioritised. Checkpoints should be placed away from traffic lanes and clearly marked with cones and signage, particularly in wet or flood-prone areas.

 

He also warned of approaching summer storms in northern provinces between 12–14 April, advising motorists to avoid hazardous routes and refrain from sheltering under large trees or unstable structures during adverse weather.

 

With heavy travel and celebrations expected to continue throughout the Songkran holiday, authorities remain on high alert to ensure the safety of both citizens and tourists across the country.

 

-- 2025-04-12

 

[happysoul]

34 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Location: 86.26% of incidents occurred on straight roads

Thanks for the laught ! 

[blaze master]

Step 1... talk about change but don't actually do anything about the issue. 

 

Step 2....repeat yearly.

 

Step.3...see above.

 

Step 4...we're tired just go through the checkpoint

 

Step 5...thank God it's over we can go back to pretending we don't have a serious social issue at hand. 

[ikke1959]

And as usual nothing is accurate, and because they talk about it they manipulate the numbers to show how successful they are, so they can keep their job for next year

[save the frogs]

16 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Vehicle type most involved: Motorcycles (83.64%)

Yeah well I was in a debate about motorcycles and I backed down.

But this statistic confirms that motorcycles are as bad as I thought.

They should be banned. No more motorcycles allowed on the roads. 

 

[lordgrinz]

2 hours ago, save the frogs said:

Yeah well I was in a debate about motorcycles and I backed down.

But this statistic confirms that motorcycles are as bad as I thought.

They should be banned. No more motorcycles allowed on the roads. 

 

 

Motorcyclist are  the worst offenders, they don't seem to follow any laws/rules whatsoever, and they think they can do whatever they want as long as they can squeeze their motorcycle through. They use Zebra crossings as U-turns, blow redlights at every intersection, they turn right or left from lanes that are not designated as such, they drive against oncoming traffic, refuse to wear helmets, ride more than two-up, ride perpendicular to traffic, change lanes without signaling (or looking), ride and/or park on sidewalks, block traffic by parking in no parking areas, etc etc etc......they seem to believe that all laws of man and nature are null and void when they head out on one. To top it off, I believe it was stated in the news at some point, that more than 35% of motorcyclists don't even have a license.