BANGKOK, Jan 2 – Road accidents claimed 241 lives and injured 2,382 people in the first four days of New Year’s travel week.
From Dec 29-Jan 1, there were 2,167 road accidents in total, the number falling by 306 or 12.37 per cent from the 2,473 accidents reported during the same period last year, according to the Road Safety Centre.
Total deaths numbered 241, up by seven or 2.99 per cent, compared to the previous year. The total injured amounted to 2,382, down by 274 or 10.32 per cent from last year’s figures.
Chiang Rai reported the most accidents with 85 and the most injuries at 88 while the most deaths were reported in Buri Ram province with 16. Chaiyaphum and Trat are the only provinces where no accidents occurred.
Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri told a news conference that on New Year’s Day, the fourth day of the campaign to cut road accidents during the New Year travel period, the Road Safety Centre reported 562 accidents, down 26.67 per cent from the 777 accidents recorded on the same day last year.
The death toll of 76 and 600 injured represented drops of 8.43 per cent and 28.99 per cent respectively, compared to the same period.
Most accidents—47.86 per cent—were caused by drunk driving, followed by speeding with 19.93.
Motorcycles are involved most of the accidents, accounting for 82.59 per cent.
Most accidents occurred in the northern province of Chiang Rai and most deaths were reported in Nakhon Sawan at six, while the highest number of injuries was reported in Chiang Rai with 26.
