58 road deaths on First Day of New Year’s “Seven Dangerous Day”

BANGKOK, December 31 (TNA) – A total of 58 people were killed and 517 others injured in 508 road accident recorded nationwide on Tuesday, the first day of the New Year’s “Seven Dangerous Days” period from December 30, 2014 to January 5, 2015, according to the Road Safety Directing Center. Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith unveiled the road accident data during a press briefing on Wednesday, saying that the most common cause of the accidents was drunk driving, representing 36.61 percent of the accidents, followed by speed limit violation at 23.82 percent. He said 82.41 percent of vehicles in the accidents were motorcycles. Arkhom also said Surat Thani and Chiang Mai provinces saw the highest number of accidents at 23 each while Buri Ram province recorded the highest death toll at six. The deputy transport minister said police on Tuesday took actions against 71,168 traffic violators with riding a motorbike without wearing a helmet being the main offense. (TNA)