Speeding and drunk driving major causes of Songkran accidents

A total of 3,726 cases of drunk driving and 230 cases of driving under the influence have been reported in the first five days of the week-long Songkran travel period, according to the Probation Department.

Chiang Mai recorded the highest number of drunk driving cases at 651, followed by Samut Prakan with 317 and Nonthaburi with 266.

Meanwhile, the Road Accidents Prevention and Mitigation Command Centre reported today that 191 people have been killed and 911 others injured in 951 road accidents nationwide over the past five days, including 30 deaths and 202 injuries in 192 accidents yesterday alone.

Speeding contributed to 38.54% of the accidents yesterday, followed by drunk driving (28.13%). Motorcyclists were involved in 72.88% of the accidents.

Phrae province recorded the highest number of accidents and injuries, at 45 and 47 respectively, over the past five days. Bangkok, however, had the highest death toll, at 16.

The Command Centre said that many Songkran travellers are returning to Bangkok and other major cities today, resulting in traffic congestion on major highways and a higher risk of accidents.

Teerapat Kachamat, director-general of the Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said the Command Centre had instructed all provincial administrations to arrange sufficient public transport, both land and air, and to ensure that drivers are free from alcohol and do not exceed permitted driving hours.

All buses must be checked to ensure they are in working condition, and drivers must take short breaks at service stations or rest areas every 1–2 hours of driving, he added.