Road deaths mount in New Year's '7 dangerous days'

[PeteC]

We've talked a lot that the general feel is that the normal day to day accident and death toll is the same or just a bit less than the Songkran or New Year count. Sameo, sameo....the day to day just doesn't get the press. Pete

[Nereus]

The End (for this year)

If the traffic in Bangkok is any indication, the New Year holiday and related accidents, is far from over. The last 4 or 5 days have been like Songkhran: where I am along Sukumvit very light traffic, also the expressways. A bit more this morning, but nothing like a "normal" Friday.

I would say that the coming weekend, especialy Sunday, will see a a bunch more accidents and deaths. Maybe the powers that be are doing this purposely to "save face"!

It is now 11-00 pm and Sukhumvit from where I am is completely gridlocked! It is mostly the outbound side, so unless there was free gold at one of Sutheps rallies, I would have to assume it is people returning after New Year.

[Bristolian]

http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2014/01/n ... hai-roads/

New Year: Carnage on Thai roads
Thailand’s death toll over the seven days of the New Year holiday reached 366 with more than 3,0000 injured.

The toll was worse than the daily kill rate achieved in high-risk war zones and a reminder that Thailand’s roads are among the most risky in the world.

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation’s Road Safety Directing Centre reported had not been reduced despite campaigns to end the carnage whenever the country celebrates a national holiday.

In addition, the centres’s data showed that 38.87% of accidents were due to drunken driving, while 22.66% were caused by speeding.

True to form, motor cycle drivers were involved in 82.55% of all New Year accidents and most of them involved riders who were not wearing helmets.

Data showed that 62.77% of the accidents took place on straight stretches of road, suggesting fast driving and possible dangerous overtaking.

Motor bikers are a major hazard for their failure to comply with basic traffic rules. They are often used to transport two or three passengers usually children.

Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsawan said all the information will be compiled and analysed in order to prepare for the upcoming Songkran holidays. The emphasis would be on adding warning signs and correcting sections of highways prone to accidents.

The centre aims to lower the number of deaths from 17 to 100,000 ratio per year to 10 deaths in every 100,000 people per year by 2017.

"The emphasis would be on adding warning signs and correcting sections of highways prone to accidents" Mmmm wouldn't it be more productive to enforce the laws already in place and actually have police patrolling and stopping offenders in a high profile attempt to put an end to this lunacy (Yes I know TIT and that won't change, the ministry of wishful thinking are simply making noises)

"The centre aims to lower the number of deaths from 17 to 100,000 ratio per year to 10 deaths in every 100,000 people per year by 2017" All pigs suitably fed, watered and ready for take-off K' Charupong.