Road Deaths Down 48% In Early Songkran

[webfact]

Road deaths down 48% in early Songkran

By Samatcha Hoonsara

The Nation

Motorists in 84,700 of 700,000 vehicles inspected face charges

Fewer fatalities and injuries in road accidents nationwide have been reported so far during the long Songkran holidays, according to the Road Safety Centre's latest report.

There were 59 deaths and 976 injuries in 893 road accidents for the first two days of the so-called seven dangerous days. The road toll dropped by 55 or 48.2 per cent, and the injuries were down by 560 or 36.4 per cent on last year. Also, the number of road accidents were 534 fewer, compared to the same period in last year's Songkran holidays, said Chamroon Tangpaisalkij, deputy permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry.

He announced the figures at a press conference yesterday. The seven dangerous days started on Monday and end on Sunday.

Chamroon said the rate of deaths, injuries and accidents could lessen over the long Songkran holidays. However, most accidents still involved drunk driving, speeding, negligent driving, not wearing helmets and not using or not fastening safety belts.

Each of three provinces with the highest accumulated death toll had four deaths - Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chon Buri. Provinces with the most accumulated injuries were Chiang Rai at 54, followed by 40 injuries in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

On Tuesday alone, 30 deaths and 576 injuries in 528 road accidents had been reported, he said. Krabi, Chon Buri, Suphan Buri and Sakon Nakhon had the most deaths - three in each province. Chiang Rai reported 32 accidents resulting in 32 injuries, and was the province with the most accidents and injuries, said Chamroon.

As many as 2,514 checkpoints have been set up across the country, with 68,000 officials inspecting 700,000 vehicles. And, 84,700 of the inspected motorists face charges. Most - 26,500 motorists - were found driving without a licence, followed by 26,000 motorcyclists who rode without helmets.

"People travelling back to their hometowns to visit their families have already arrived home, [and so] more accidents are expected to occur on secondary roads. Police will now adjust their road safety plans to focus on these roads," said Chamroon.

In a related development, Transport Co president Wutthichat Kalayanamit said the company would fine some privately run city bus companies for selling overpriced tickets to passengers during the Songkran Festival.

He urged passengers who had paid for overpriced tickets to call 1490 (his company's hotline) and 1584 (Land Transport Department's hotline) to complain. They would be paid the tickets' price differential after showing the tickets they had bought to officers.

-- The Nation 2011-04-14

[whybother]

There were 59 deaths and 976 injuries in 893 road accidents for the first two days of the so-called seven dangerous days.

3rd day of 7 danger days for Songkran road accidents saw 116 deaths and 1760 people injured in 1126 accidents /TAN_Network

So did the 3rd day see 116 deaths, or did the 3 days in total see 116 deaths?

Either way, it's a pointless stat, when so many people traveled on the weekend and that isn't included.

[webfact]

116 dead, 1760 injured, 1626 road accidents reported in first three of seven dangerous days of Songkran holiday: Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Dept /MCOT

[Oberkommando]

26,500 motorists - were found driving without a licence

Staggering numbers in this day and age. Simply staggering.

[webfact]

In 2003, an average of 120 died per day in accidents during Songkran. This year, 116 have died in the first 3 days. /via@RichardBarrow

[housepainter]

Do your own stats. I did.

Average of 1 in 12 with a helmet. Got that? 1 in 12 wear a plastic basin that offers little protection, meets no standards and may not even be fastened.

After that fact, then make of any gov stats what you will.

Babies continue to be balanced on motorcycles, pick-up drivers can't, as having no licence never detered anyone in this sense forsaken country.

We get this same scenario each year and nothing ever changes. They are incapable of improvingthe quality of life, extending life but remain masters at breeding new life; usually with some young girl under age and then dumping her with the baby.

Thailand: Land of shine.