Road safety center opened in Thailand to cut New Year road accidents

BANGKOK, December 29 (TNA) - An ad-hoc road accident prevention and reduction center during New Year holidays has been officially opened by the Thai Ministry of Interior. Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda inaugurate the ad-hoc center in Bangkok on Thursday, the first day of seven dangerous days of the ongoing road accident prevention campaign, aimed to curb road accidents during December 29-January 4, as the number of road accidents normally increases during long New Year holidays. The minister said local authorities have been ordered to improve road conditions and physical environment at accident-prone areas, including railway crossings and junctions, to increase the safety for commuters, urging holiday makers to also refrain from drunk-drinking. Besides, strict measures have been imposed to control alcohol sales and to measure blood alcohol levels of drivers. The minister stressed that officials from all sectors are working hard during the ongoing New Year holidays by setting up checkpoints, while piers and passenger boats are also under the strict safety control with life-saving gears ordered to be prepared for travellers, asking drivers to follow traffic rules. (TNA)