Highway Police step up safety measures

Highway police have stepped up safety measures during the 7 deadly days of Songkran, deploying speed enforcement cameras, and setting up a number of sobriety checkpoints. According to Highway Police Commander Police Major General Pongsit Saengpetch, the major causes of road accidents are speeding, drunk driving, falling asleep behind the wheel, and abrupt lane changes. To prevent and reduce road accidents, the Department has installed speed enforcement cameras throughout highways, as well as establishing sobriety checkpoints along the routes. He stressed that the law stipulates that anyone caught drinking alcohol inside a vehicle, whether or not he or she is a driver, is subject to a fine of 10,000 baht, or a jail term of 6 months; or both. The highway police chief has also suggested that motorists strictly observe the signs along the highway and have plenty of sleep before getting behind the wheels on a long journey to avoid accidents; adding that more than 200 rest areas with free refreshments would also be set up. The Highway Police would be on 24 hours duty from April 11th – 17th to facilitate commuters as well as to enforce the traffic laws on highways.