The Ministry of Public Health has set a target to reduce road accidents during New Year holidays by 5% this year, by emphasising no drinking and driving, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew announced today.

He noted that there is a possibility that road accidents during the festive period may increase, due to the government’s decision to allow pubs to stay open until 4am, and until 6am on New Year’s Day.

It is, therefore, necessary that measures be tightened up to prevent road accidents by drawing on support from public health volunteers, local administrative officials and the police to man road blocks to test the blood-alcohol levels of drivers and motorcyclists.

According to statistics, there were 2,440 road accidents between December 29, 2022 and January 4, 2023, resulting in 317 deaths and 2,437 people injured, said Dr Cholnan, adding that the most shocking finding is that 96% of those involved in the accidents were over the legal alcohol limit.

To achieve the 5% cut in road accidents, he said all parties concerned must cooperate, including drivers, who should not drive when they are drunk. He has also asked all hospitals to be on standby to support the police and local officials.

All those injured in vehicle related accidents are entitled to free first aid or emergency treatment at private or state hospitals, said the minister.

Pol Major Veerawat Sivapaet, deputy commander of the Office of Police Strategy, said that, if the drunk drivers are under 20, the police will take legal action against the venues or stores that sold the alcohol to them.