Casualties down slightly as ‘Seven Dangerous Days’ ended

BANGKOK, January 5 (TNA) - The number of road accidents and casualties throughout Thailand during the ‘Seven Dangerous Days’ of this New Year festive season which ended Wednesday declined slightly from the corresponding period of last year, said Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit. Speaking to a press conference on Thursday in his capacity as chief of the Road Safety Centre, Yongyuth said there were a total of 3,093 road accidents nationwide during the period, down 11.55 per cent, while 335 people died, a decrease of 23 persons. A total of 3,375 people injured during the period, a decline of 375 persons, compared to last year, he said. Most of the accidents were attributed to drunk and drive, and speed driving, Yongyuth said. Motorcycles and pick-up cars were mostly involved in the accidents. Although road accident statistics improved, major accidents causing many people died occurred many times during 2012 New Year holidays, he said. The Road Safety Centre will ask concerned government agencies to tighten the law in an attempt to reduce the road accident. (TNA)