Traffic accidents killed 79 people on 3rd day of Songkran road safety period

BANGKOK, April 14 (TNA) -- On April 13 that was the 3rd day of road safety campaigns, there were 748 traffic accidents which killed 79 people and injured 752 others, according to the government’s Road Safety Centre. The most common cause of the accidents was drunk drivers as they were involved in 49% of all the traffic accidents. The second most common cause was violation to speed limits that resulted in 27% of the accidents. Motorcycles were the most common kind of vehicles seen in the accidents as 668 motorcycles were involved in 86% of the accidents. The highest amount of accidents, 33, was reported each in Chiang Mai and Udon Thani provinces. Bangkok and Sakon Nakhon recorded the highest death toll, 5 each. The highest number of injured people, 37, was reported in Chiang Mai. From April 11 to 13, there were 1,743 traffic accidents that killed 167 people and injured 1,795 others. The highest number of accidents, 83, happened in Chiang Mai. The highest death toll, 9, was in Nakhon Ratchasima. The highest number of injured people, 86, was reported in Chiang Mai. Death-free were 16 provinces while Chaiyaphum was free of any injury. During the three days of road safety campaigns, the number of accidents dropped by 82 year-on-year but the death toll rose by 14 and the number of injured people increased by 18. Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul urged travellers to use crash helmets and safety belts for safety. A research found that 80% of traffic accidents in the past five years resulted from drivers’ behaviours, so campaigns for safety awareness could help promote road safety, she said. She did not think serious road safety measures from the government affected the Songkran festival this year, saying the number of Songkran tourists rose by 5-8% in provinces and hotel reservations were increasing nationwide. (TNA)