BANGKOK: Road safety officials reported a concerning number of road accidents during the New Year Festival's initial days, with December 29, 2024, marking a particularly deadly day. The Road Safety Center noted 280 accidents, resulting in 47 deaths and 269 injuries on that day alone.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice, chaired a meeting of the Center for the Prevention and Reduction of Road Accidents. The meeting highlighted the statistics for the 10-day period between December 27, 2024, and January 5, 2025, a time traditionally marked by increased travel and festive activities. The data for December 29 underscores the persistent dangers present on the roads during this time, with speeding, drunk driving, and cutting in front of others identified as the primary causes of accidents.
The report detailed that motorcycles were involved in the majority of incidents, accounting for 82.98% of accidents, most of which occurred on straight roads and Department of Highways roads. The peak time for accidents was identified as between 4:01 and 5:00 p.m., and the age group with the highest number of injuries and fatalities was 20-29 years old.
Surat Thani emerged as the province with the highest number of accidents, while Sakon Nakhon reported the highest fatalities. Overall, during the first three days of the campaign, there were 872 accidents, 841 injuries, and 143 deaths. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya recorded the highest accumulated accidents and injuries, while Bangkok had the highest number of deaths.
Pol. Col. Thawee emphasized the need for strict law enforcement, particularly during New Year's celebrations, to manage the increased risk posed by drinking and driving. He called for enhanced measures at checkpoints and urged compliance with alcohol-related regulations, especially concerning sales to minors. Additionally, the minister highlighted the importance of public awareness campaigns about the consequences of risky driving behaviors.
The Ministry of Justice has also integrated efforts with various agencies and volunteers to support operations at public service points nationwide. The focus is on prosecuting offenders and employing measures such as probation and electronic monitoring for repeat drunk driving offenders. During the period from December 27 to 29, 1,763 cases were prosecuted, and electronic monitoring bracelets were used on four offenders charged with drunk driving.
These efforts aim to reduce the potential for future incidents and ensure the safety of the public during this festive season.