Road Toll Rises As Congestion Worsens And More People Return To Bangkok

[webfact]

Road toll rises as congestion worsens and more people return to Bangkok

By The Nation

Total deaths from road accidents during the seven-day New Year holiday break reached 234 yesterday, just four short of last year's toll.

The number of injured people reached 2,656 - well over the 2,473 hurt during the same period a year ago, according to a report by the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department released yesterday.

Chiang Rai has seen the most accidents with 86, followed by neighbouring Chiang Mai with 79, but most fatalities have occurred in Lop Buri - 12, followed by 10 in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Some 92 people had been involved in accidents in Chiang Rai, and 82 in Phitsanulok, the report said.

On Saturday, 83 people were killed and 845 others injured in 777 accidents.

In Chaiyaphum, police pulled over a double-decker bus steered by a driver allegedly high on drugs, after a dramatic pursuit in which the bus drove through a road checkpoint and nearly ran over several policemen.

Police allege Phongrak Phol-in admitted taking an amphetamine tablet after starting his run from Loei province to Bangkok. He took 51 passengers from Loei who were allegedly overcharged for tickets. He had been in custody for driving while intoxicated and police said they would soon arrest staff of Thong Karn Tour, for overpricing tickets and allowing a drunken driver to commandeer the bus.

Police also arrested 191 owners or staff of convenience stores and grocery shops in nine provinces for selling liquor or openly advertising alcoholic drinks during the New Year break. Some 39 of these people had been prosecuted, the Public Health Ministry said yesterday.

Most offenders failed to follow no-advertising regulations which could subject them to a one-year prison term and/or a maximum fine of Bt500,000, in addition to a daily Bt50,000 fine until breaches are corrected. The strict anti-liquor measures will continue until tomorrow.

Congestion on main roads heading to Bangkok began yesterday, as many holidaymakers made early returns. Bangkok-bound trains from the South were also packed. Railway officials said reservations peaked for yesterday's services, and supplementary trains were available to accommodate more passengers.

Extra inter-provincial buses were also available in Nakhon Ratchasima, a key junction for buses in the Northeast, to cope with extra passengers. Reversible lanes were added to many main roads for cars heading to Bangkok. Two regular 200-run direct buses from Nakhon Ratchasima to Bangkok were added, in addition to another 50 chartered buses, operators said.

-- The Nation 2011-01-03

[asiawatcher]

So finally we have confirmation of a 'bus driver' being in command of a vehicle whilst under the influence of 'whatever'. I would think the 51 pax on the bus should count their lucky stars this idiot did not kill them. This is the type of offense that should get a 10 year reward - in close company of other criminals. Until the authorities start sending clear messages that punishment will be severe - so don't do it, the crazy drivers will continue to drive whilst under the influence. I don't think there is a single person in this forum that has not experienced some form of visual sample of how buses in this country are driven and certainly not to rule!

[whybother]

Day 1:- 24 dead, 425 injured, 400 accidents

Day 2:- 55 dead, 634 injured, 600 accidents

Day 3:- 72 dead, 752 injured, 700 accidents

Day 4:- 83 dead, 845 injured, 770 accidents

Day 5:- 47 dead, 435 injured, ??? accidents

A better day yesterday.

[webfact]

281 persons killed on first five of 'Seven Dangerous Days'

BANGKOK, Jan 3 - The death toll from road accidents nationwide during the New Year's celebration period has risen to 281, with more than 3,000 injured reported on the first five days of the 'Seven Dangerous Days', the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation announced Monday.

Disaster response Director-General Wiboon Sanguanpong reported that on the fifth day of the so-called "Seven Dangerous Days", 47 people were killed in 408 road accidents.

He noted that 35.9 per cent of the accidents involved drunken driving, followed by 22.8 per cent of speeding above the legal limit. Eight-six per cent of the accident involved motorcycles and occurred between 4 and 8pm.

From Dec 29 through Jan 2, Mr Wiboon said 2,881 accidents were reported with 281 people confirmed dead and 3,091 injured. The central province of Lop Buri recorded the highest death toll with 12 deaths, while the highest number of injuries, 110 people, was in the northern province of Chiang Rai.

The director-general added he has instructed concerned officials to strictly search and arrest drivers violating traffic rules as today is the last day of the celebrations, and many people are going back to work.

He urged the public to respect traffic rules and regulations and take sufficient rest before driving, in order to have a safe trip. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-01-03