Govt takes strong measures to cut road toll during Songkran

BANGKOK: -- The Thai government has banned the sale of liquor at petrol stations across the country and all police will be on duty in a bid to reduce road accidents during the Songkran holiday.

During the water festival holiday, 13-15 April, millions of migrant workers will travel home and there will be large numbers of Thai and foreign holidaymakers.

The government wants to reduce the road fatalities during Songkran by 15 % from last year, or less than 637 deaths, the Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Chitchai Wannasathit announced on Friday.

There will be checkpoints conducting random breath tests to try to curb the number of drunk drivers – one of the major causes of accidents.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said the authorities would strictly enforce a ban on liquor sales at petrol stations.

There will be no break for the police force during Songkran, Pol. Gen. Chitchai said. He said he would be inspecting the police in the field during the holiday period.

--TNA 2005-04-01

Another gov't plan without merit. Most folks will merely buy their alcohol before they leave for their driving trip. When they stop at the petrol station, all they will need to purchase will be ice cubes!

Want to curb road fatalities... teach folks how to drive better! Also fix the decrepid road system, with highways that do not run smack thru a major town/city.