Scores of people killed, 458 injured on roads in first two days of Songkran festival

Fifty-nine people were killed and 458 others were injured in 460 road accidents across Thailand during the first two days of this year’s Songkran festival, April 11–12, according to the Road Safety Command Centre.

The centre reported that 39.92% of the accidents were caused by speeding, 22.18% involved drunk driving and 20.97% were the result of cutting in while 85.77% of the accidents involved motorcycles, 83.87% occurred on straight roads, 40.32% on highways and 33.87% on village roads.

Most of the road accidents took place between 6am and 9am and between 3pm and 9pm. Most of the victims were in the 20-29 age group.

Mukdahan province had the most accidents and injuries, with 23 and 25 respectively, while Bangkok had the highest death toll, at nine.

According to the Department of Probation, 1,363 cases entered the probation process in the two days, with 15 defendants being ordered by the court to wear electronic ankle bracelets for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and drinking alcohol while driving.