25 Killed on First Day of Songkran – Road Accident Prevention Center Launched

[Jacob Maslow]

Despite efforts to improve road safety during the “seven dangerous days” of Songkran, 25 people were killed on the first day of celebrations. Another 348 people were injured. The roads were jammed with motorists traveling home for the first day of the festivities, which increased the risks of accidents and fatalities greatly.

The Ministry of Transport revealed details about the accidents. Drunk driving accounted for about 25% of the accidents, while speeding accounted for approximately 24% of the crashes. More than 80% of the accidents involved a motorcycle.

Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Nakhon Ratchasima had the most accidents with 19 each. More than 20,000 checkpoints have been set up throughout the country, and over 65,000 police officers will be on hand for the Songkran festivities.

On the first day of Songkran, officials fined more than 20,000 people for driving without a license and another 20,000 for not wearing a helmet.

Anupong Paochinda, the Interior Minister, oversaw the opening ceremony for the Directing Center for Road Accident Prevention and Reduction. The center will ensure strict enforcement of local traffic laws during the festival and will remain open from April 9 – 15.

The new center will work with other relevant agencies to help decrease the number of road accidents and minimize fatalities. It will also ensure that strict penalties are handed out to violators.

The center has also compiled a list of 10 dangerous driving actions to look out for. These actions include running traffic lights, driving in the wrong direction, speeding, drunk driving, dangerous overtaking, driving without a license, reckless driving, failure to wear a helmet and using a mobile phone while driving.

-- 2015-04-11

[Gonsalviz]

And?

Thai's, driving vehicles and electricity do not mix.

Once you get over that, everything else is fine.