Accidents claim 162 lives from April 11-14: police
One hundred and sixty-two people died while 1,279 were injured in traffic accidents between April 11-14, as holidaymakers begin to make their way back from their Songkran break.
According to assistant national police chief, Pol Lt Gen Kornchai Klaiklueng, during the period, there were 1,259 reported traffic accidents.
Nakhon Si Thammarat had the highest number of traffic accidents with 50, as well as injuries from the accidents, with 54.
Bangkok and Roi Et reported the highest death toll, with 10 each.
On Sunday alone, there were 317 traffic accidents which resulted in 38 deaths and 311 injuries. On that day, Nan saw the highest numbers of accidents (14) and injuries (16). Nakhon Sawan reported the highest death toll on Sunday, with three deaths.
Pol Lt Gen Kornchai said some people have started to make their way back to Bangkok and other regional economic hubs, causing traffic volumes to increase on several national highways.
Chaiwat Chuntirapong, directorgeneral of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said yesterday that the numbers of accidents, fatalities and injuries were lower than last year’s Songkran festival.
Ruangsak Suwaree, director-general of the Probation Department, said that from April 11-14 there were 3,890 cases of traffic violations — 96% of which involved drink-driving. Bangkok had the most cases of drink-driving at 399, followed by Nonthaburi (227) and Samut Prakan (214).
United Nations figures show that on average, about 55 people die every day due to accidents on Thai roads.