THE Songkran death toll soared to 188 after 3 days of the holidays (April 11-13) with 1,934 being injured from a total of 1,846 accidents, INN News reported today (April 14).
Pol Lt-Gen Ekrak Limsangkaph, head of Special Branch Zone 3 police, announced the statistics compiled by the Road Accident Prevention and Reduction Center during Songkran Festival that yesterday (April 13) there were 820 accidents leading to 86 deaths and 852 injuries.
The biggest cause of accidents over the 3-day period (April 11-13) was drunk driving at 47.56%, with speeding coming next at 27.44%, and the vehicle involved in most accidents was motorcycle at 78.66%.
However, provincial police have been ordered to intensify enforcement at checkpoints and community outposts, especially districts at high risk of accidents (red and orange zones), and also focus on secondary roads and road network surrounding areas where Songkran is being played.
Charges were filed against 172,294 people found to have violated traffic regulations at 2,029 key checkpoints. A total of 50,197 were caught riding motorcycles without wearing crash helmets, and 45,485 driving without a driving license.
While 11 provinces have not recorded any road deaths at all, northern Chiang Mai province had the highest number of accidents at 65.
Meanwhile northeastern Nakohn Ratchasim and Buriram provinces and north-central Petchabun province had the highest death toll at 8 each. Chiang Mai again had the highest number of injuries at 70.
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Top: Senior police and officials announcing the Songkran statistics earlier today. Photo: INN News
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