Drunk driving still the biggest killer over New Year

Published : January 02, 2009 :: 14:01:32 [ 270 views ]

Drunk driving still the biggest killer over New Year

Despite the authorities recent attempts to crack down on drunk driving and other dangerous driving practices throughout Thailand, the death toll on January 1, 2009, the 3rd day of the Seven Dangerous Days of New Year between December 30 and January 5, currently stands at 226 dead and 2,504 injured from a total of 2,329 road traffic accidents, with four more days to go.

Please note that late reporting may result in discrepancies in the respective totals and final verifiable figures will not be available until the eighth day. According to available statistics, on the first day, December 30, 6 died and 635 were injured. On the second day, December 31, 143 people died and 1,595 were injured from road accidents according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, with the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima having the highest number of road fatalities with eight. On the third day, New Year’s Day, the Ministry of Public Health reported that 83 people had died and 909 were injured in road accidents, with the northern province of Chiang Rai having the most road fatalities with 14.

On December 31, Anucha Mokkhaves, Director General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that, until then, drunk driving was the main cause of accidents at 47 per cent, followed by speeding, with the majority of accidents involving motorbikes and pickup trucks.

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The road accident death toll of the two first days of the seven dangerous New Year holidays stood at 143, the Road Safety Centre reported Thursday

On Wednesday alone, 87 people were killed and 960 injured on the road during the second of the seven dangerous New Year days,.

In all 882 traffic accidents were counted and secretarygeneral of the centre. on December 31, said Anucha Mokkhaves, directorgeneral of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Drunk driving was the main cause of accidents at 47 per cent, followed by speeding over the limit.

Most accidents involved motorbikes and pickup trucks, he said.

The Ministry of Public Health reported that 83 people died and 909 were injured from road accidents nationwide on the third day of the ‘Seven Dangerous Days of New Year’ between December 30 and January 5.

851 road accidents were reported on Thursday,
Many of the cases were drunk driving cases, according to the Public Health Ministry.

226 died and 2,504 were wounded from a total of 2,329 road accidents during the first three days of this period.

under the Ministry of Interior.

1,478 road accidents were reported on Wednesday, and the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima had the highest number of road fatalities with eight.

On the first day of the ‘Seven Dangerous Days of New Year’, six died and 635 were wounded.