Expert calls on govt to get tougher on road safety

A road safety expert has called on the government to launch long-term road safety measures to cut fatalities and injuries during the upcoming Songkran festival and beyond.

Nikorn Jamnong, a road safety expert sitting on the National Reform Steering Committee, has submitted a letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Transport Minister Arkom Termpitayapaisit, asking them to devise tougher strategies to reduce road traffic injuries and deaths through a “Towards Zero Policy”.

He also urged the government to roll out a programme to discourage activities after midnight associated with drinking, such as locals fairs, in 10 provinces which have high traffic fatality rates.

The provinces he was referring to are Phichit, Chon Buri, Phitsanulok, Surin, Udon Thani, Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Burirum and Kanchanaburi.

The government has so far focused on a short-term strategy, the so-called “seven dangerous days”, which has not solved the problem, he said.

Mr Nikon called on the government to increase penalties for drivers who repeat the same offence.

Other measures include cracking down more on speeding and drink driving by making sure police are equipped with more speed guns and breathalysers. Road improvements in accident black spots should also be implemented, he said.

Mr Nkorn said casualty rates during long holidays when many people travel to celebrate the festivals is getting worse.

A total of 442 people were killed in road accidents during the Songkran festival last year, a 21.43% rise on the previous year. Another 478 were killed on the roads during the New Year celebrations, a 25.79% rise from last year, he said.

He said accidents and casualty figures are likely to increase again during the upcoming Songkran festival, citing statistics over the past 10 years that show an average of 12.8 people are killed per every 100 accidents.

Common factors contributing to road accidents include speeding (40%), pulling out in front of oncoming cars (18%), drink driving (17%), according to Mr Nikorn.

He said the committee had offered the safety suggestions to the government for consideration ahead of Songkran.

Mr Nikorn called on the government to look at implementing some if not all of them in a substantial plan of action.

“We should have a clear concept of what to do to reduce accidents in the long run,” he said.