Songkran 2017 claimed 390 lives
A TOTAL of 390 people died and 3,808 others were injured from altogether 3,690 accidents during the seven dangerous days of Songkran celebration this year, Thai News Agency quoted the Road Safety Directing Center as saying today (April 18).
Krissada Boonrat, Interior Ministry’s permanent secretary, said at a press conference that this is the last day of the campaign “drive carefully and maintain traffic discipline” and yesterday there were altogether 307 road accidents which killed 40 people and injured 323 others.
“The three biggest causes for accidents were drunk driving – 1,589 times; driving fast – 1,028 times; and taking over other vehicles – 547 times.
“The three biggest causes of death were driving fast which claimed 146 lives; drunk driving which killed 124 others; and poor visibility which left 77 dead.
“A total of 284 motorcycles, 49 pickup trucks and 27 private cars were involved in fatal accidents.
“Meanwhile 3,230 motorcycles, 260 pickup trucks, 3,428 private cars, 230 public vehicles and 21 trucks were involved in road accidents.
“Bad behavior leading to death and injuries include not wearing crash helmet, drunk driving and driving fast.
“Most of the accidents took place during 4.01 p.m. to 8 p.m. and most of the people who died were over 50 years of age.
“A total of 5,380,482 vehicles were checked and legal action taken against 914,172 people with most violating the law on wearing crash helmet followed by driving without a license,” he said.
The province with the highest number of accidents was Udon Thani with a total of 161 and this province also had the highest number of injuries totaling 168 cases. The province with the highest number of road deaths was Nakhon Ratchasima where 17 died.
Four provinces did not have any road fatalities at all with these being Krabi, Narathiwat, Mae Hong Son and Samut Songkhram while Chaiyaphum did not have any road injuries.
Although the number of accidents this Songkran increased compared to last year the number of people who died drop by 20% and the reason there were more accidents was because there were more people on the roads.
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Top: One of the numerous bad accidents that took place during the seven dangerous days. Photo: National News Bureau of Thailand
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