A total of 241 people were killed and 1,313 others injured in 1,364 road accidents nationwide during the first six days of the ‘Seven Dangerous Days’ New Year travel safety campaign, which began on December 30.
Yesterday alone—the sixth day of the safe driving campaign—27 people were killed and 174 others injured in 175 road accidents, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). Speeding accounted for 32.57% of the accidents, while 30.86% were caused by unsafe close-range cutting in. Motorcycles were involved in 68.58% of the accidents, and 84.57% occurred on straight roads.
Most accidents (22.29%) took place between 9 a.m. and noon. People aged between 20 and 29 accounted for 17.71% of the casualties. Narathiwat province recorded the highest number of accidents yesterday, with 12 cases.
Over the past six days, Phuket reported the highest number of accidents (50) and injuries (53), while Bangkok recorded the highest death toll, with 20 fatalities. No deaths were reported in seven provinces nationwide.
Saharat Wongsakulwiwat, director-general of the DDPM, said today that most New Year revellers have already returned to Bangkok or other major cities, with the remainder expected to return today.
He said officials have been instructed to closely monitor motorists and motorcyclists to ensure strict compliance with traffic laws, particularly the prohibition against speeding, which remains the leading cause of accidents.
He also warned motorists travelling in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom to brace for possible road flooding tomorrow due to high tides.
