BANGKOK, April 15 – Road accidents have killed 218 people and wounded another 2,000 in the first four days of the seven-day campaign to reduce road accidents nationwide as the country celebrates the annual Songkran festival marking the start of a new year in the Thai calendar.
Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanich said on Sunday alone, 45 people were killed in 541 road accidents nationwide, injuring 494 persons.
From April 11 through 14, the accumulated death toll was at 218, and injuries at 2,020.
Nearly 42 per cent of accidents resulted from drunken driving, followed by speeding at 23.5 per cent.
Kanchanaburi and Prachuap Khiri Kan recorded the most deaths at 11 each during the first four days of the so-called “seven dangerous days.”
No deaths were reported in Chonburi, Chaiyaphum, Angthong, Amnat Charoen, Trat, Ranong, Pattani, Maha Sarakam, Phuket, Yala and Nonthaburi.
Mr Sermsak said although the number of casualties this year is falling, the Road Safety Centre of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation will remain on alert as travellers start to return from their holidays today.
He said concerned officials have been instructed to strictly enforce the traffic laws as well as screening for alcohol levels among public transport drivers to ensure their readiness in providing safe service to the public.
