Concerns over road safety

BANGKOK, July 8 (TNA) -- The Transport Ministry has urged motorists to drive slowly, open headlights and wear safety belts while travelling between July 8-10 or important Buddhist religious holidays. Chirute Visalachitra, Inspector-General of the Transport Ministry, said his ministry strictly follows Moscow Declaration 2010 because it realises that road accidents cause great losses to both life and property. Mr Chirute said the ministry has mapped out plans to prevent road accidents between July 8-10 and many Buddhists would travel to upcountry or their home to make merits and asked the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning to launch campaigns calling for motorists to ‘Drive slowly, open car headlights and wear safety belts’ while travelling. July 8 marks Asalha Bucha Day to celebrate the first teaching of the Lord Buddha while July 9 commemorates Buddhist Lent Day, marking the beginning of the three month period where monks stay in their temples with no travelling. The Transport Ministry said that impact from road accident could be reduced if motorists drive at less than 90 kilometres per hour while opening headlights could lessen the number of accidents by 30 per cent and wearing safety belts could lower the loss of life by as much as 80 per cent. (TNA)