'Dangerous days' death toll ends at 380 (Updated) Tuesday
The New Year holiday death toll reached 380 from over 3,000 road accidents across the country at the conclusion of the so-called seven dangerous days of the New Year holiday season, up over 10 percent from the previous year.
The New Year holiday death toll reached 380 from over 3,000 road accidents across the country at the conclusion of the so-called seven dangerous days of the New Year holiday season, up over 10 percent from the previous year.
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Tuesday update
'Dangerous days' death toll ends at 380
The New Year holiday death toll reached 380 from over 3,000 road accidents across the country at the conclusion of the so-called seven dangerous days of the New Year holiday season.
Interior permanent secretary Kritsada Boonrat, deputy chairman of the Road Safety Direction Centre, said on Tuesday there were a total of 3,379 traffic accidents reported during the period Dec 29 to Jan 4. A total of 380 people were killed and 3,505 others injured during the seven-day period.
This was a substantial increase on the road toll during the seven dangerous days during New Year 2015, when 341 traffic deaths were reported.
Drink-driving was the major cause of road accidents, accounting for 24%, followed by speeding, 17%. Most crashes involved motorcycles, 83.5%, followed by pickup trucks, 7.5%.
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief Chatchai Promlert said the Road Safety Direction Centre would coordinate with provincial authorities in studying and analysing the statistics to establish the causes and risk factors of road accidents.
Monday evening update
New Year's road deaths jump to 340; 3,216 hurt
Online reporters
The death toll from road accidents jumped to 340 and the number of wrecks to more than 3,000 after the sixth of the “seven dangerous days” of the New Year’s holiday season, says PM’s Office Minister Panadda Disakul.
The accumulated road accidents from Dec 29-Jan 3 stood at 3,092 with 3,216 injuries, ML Panadda said on Monday, quoting statistics from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.
On Sunday, 48 people were killed and 361 injured in 339 accidents across the country, said ML Panadda.
Drink-driving remained the major cause of road wrecks at 19.8%, followed by speeding at 16.2%.
Just less than 80% of all crashes involved motorcycles and 68.7% occurring on major roads. The peak time for accidents was 4-8pm.
Morning report
New Year highway toll up despite harsh enforcement
WASSANA NANUAM
NUCHAREE RAKRUN
The government has warned tough legal action will be taken against public transport drivers who violate traffic laws.
The death toll has reached almost 300 as more passengers return to Bangkok after the New Year holidays. Deaths are 11% higher than during last year's Seven Dangerous Days despite harsh measures.
Last year, there were 2,446 accidents during the first five of the dangerous days, compared with 2,753 so far this year, a rise of 12%. Total road casualties (killed and injured) are up 13%, year on year.
Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd stressed on Sunday that severe penalties will be imposed against both drivers and transport operators, particularly vans and inter-provincial buses, if accidents occur.
Driving and operating licences will be suspended or revoked, he said.
The warning came after several vans and buses were found to be travelling above the speed limit.
Heavy traffic was reported on several main roads leading to Bangkok including Mittraphap from the South and Phahon Yothin from the North.
"The prime minister also urges people who are returning to Bangkok to make travel plans to avoid traffic congestion and reduce the number of vehicles on main roads," Maj Gen Sansern said.
A total of 3,046 vehicles were confiscated from drink drivers from Christmas Day to last Saturday. Of them, 2,477 were motorcycles and 569 were cars.
One of the deaths and 30 of the injuries occurred on this stretch of the Mitraphap Road in Khonkaen as a bus going between Nong Khai and Si Sa Ket overturned. JAKRAPHAN NATHANRI
Meanwhile, the death toll from road accidents has risen to 292 in the first five days of the "seven dangerous days" of the New Year holiday season.
Drink-driving was the major cause of the crashes, with more than 23% of cases, followed by speeding at 16%.
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