Thailand's Deputy Interior Minister Boonchong Wongtrairat said on Monday that temporary centres and road checkpoints will be set up nationwide in a bid to reduce the number of casualties from road accidents during the New Year festivities by five per cent from the nearly 4,000 accidents which occurred last year.

Government to cut road accident casualties at New Year by 5%

He said for the year 2010, the government has targeted a road accident reduction of five per cent—meaning that no more than 3,633 accidents will occur, or less that 349 deaths and 3,902 injured.

After chairing a meeting on preparations to reduce New Year’s holiday accidents, Mr Boonchong said that in 2009 there were 3,824 accidents, killing 367 persons and injuring another 4,107.

He said for the year 2010, the government has targeted a road accident reduction of five per cent—meaning that no more than 3,633 accidents will occur, or less that 349 deaths and 3,902 injured.

The most dangerous seven days peak period of the upcoming New Year holiday begins on December 29 extending through January 4 next year, Mr Boonchong said.

The deputy minister said that to achieve the target, temporary centres to oversee highway situation will be set up in every province and district across the country, while local administrative bodies will install checkpoints in villages and strictly monitor traffic rule violations, including underage drivers.

He added law will be strictly enforced against drunk drivers or riders.

News item courtesy of Thai News Agency

and pattayatoday.net

He added law will be strictly enforced against drunk drivers or riders.

Yeh right.