Phuket Police set target for Songkran holiday road toll at 'Zero'

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Authorities in Phuket are gearing up for the annual “Seven Days of Danger” road-safety campaign over the Songkran holidays, which officially start on Friday, April 13.

This year’s campaign, which has a few new wrinkles, will still have as its main deterrent a network of police checkpoints set up on main arteries around the island. Drivers will be pulled over and inspected for possible infractions, ranging from failure to produce a valid license to drunk driving.

“This year we will be especially strict on drunk driving, speeding and the use of safety helmets by all motorbike riders,” said Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayut Karajedee.

The enforcement effort would be most rigorous between the hours of 6pm and 4am and teenagers of driving age will also fall under very close scrutiny, he said.

Unlike previous campaigns in which a “target number” of deaths was based on the results of the campaign the year before, this year authorities have set the goal at zero.

During the meeting the Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation, represented by its President Benjawan Tumphanuwat, donated 10 breathalyzer kits to the police to use during the campaign.

As in previous years, police have announced the location of all main checkpoints, as follows:

Muang District

In front of the Isuzu dealership on Thepkrasattri Road northbound, near Koh Kaew Soi 33.

In front of Wichit Municipality Office on Chao Fa West Road

In front of Ake Anda village on Chao Fa West Road.

In front of the Ramada Hotel on Patak Road in Karon

Kathu

At the start of Sirirat Road, at the south of Patong

Prabaramee Road in Kathu, near Thung Thong Police Station

Na Nok Junction on the Surin-Kamala road, near Phuket FantaSea

Thalang

Tah Chat Chai checkpoint, Thepkrasattri Road in Mai Khao

In front of Cherng Talay Municipality Office on Srisoonthorn Road

Tah Reua Police Box on Thepkrasattri Road Southbound, near Heroines' Monument.

Col Peerayut also recounted a summary of road accident statistics in Phuket over the past three Songkran road safety campaigns:

2011: 60 accidents, 60 injured, 4 dead

2010: 60 accidents, 64 people, 2 dead

2009: 43 accidents, 52 injured, 7 dead

“But the only acceptable number of deaths during this year’s campaign is zero,” Col Peerayut said.

Source: http://www.facebook....118499681560616

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-04-05

This year we will be especially strict on drunk driving, speeding and the use of safety helmets by all motorbike riders.

Like the real Police are in other are countries for the remaining 358 days of the year...

Aren't these stats quite similar to what you would expect at any time of year? An average of one fatality every two days? I am sure I remember seeing this figure quoted in another thread a while back.

What do police consider 'drunk driving' in Thailand??? I suspect around 0.5 g With, depending on the report, up to 600 traffic deaths during Songkran perhaps a zero tolerance policy should be adopted and enforced.

With alternatives such as taxis, baht buses, chea drivers, designated drivers, motorbike taxis etc. Is there any need (excuse) for drunk driving????

Warning drivers in advance as every year, Amazing

James: The same procedure as last year, Miss Sophie? Miss Sophie: The same procedure as every year, James!

Why only set Zero at Songkran?

So have there been any figures released so far? Where is the toll at? 0??

So have there been any figures released so far? Where is the toll at? 0??

3 dead & 32 injured

http://www.thaivisa....09#entry5225609

I suspect that you can set as many targets, reachable or not, as you like but sadly it is impossible to successfully target stupidity.

If you can fix that problem most of the others will naturally fade away.

So have there been any figures released so far? Where is the toll at? 0??

3 dead & 32 injured

http://www.thaivisa....09#entry5225609

OH! Umm, close to the target then

BIB