An accident-ridden vehicle lay on the Burapha Withi (Bang Na-Bang Pakong) flyover after a collision in Bang Bo district, Samut Prakan, marking one of the many casualties on Friday. (Photograph by: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan)
Nearly 2,000 individuals felt the impact of road mishaps leading to 22 deaths on the first day of an extended holiday season, as reported by the Royal Thai Police (RTP). Deputy national police chief and RTP’s Traffic Police Operation Centre commander, Pol Gen Roy Ingkapairote asserted on Saturday about the need for police officers to stay vigilant towards traffic offences. This mandatory vigilance roots from the anticipated surge in road trips from urban zones to provinces during the long holiday from July 28 to Aug 2.
The first-day toll stood at 1,871 wounded and 22 killed. Citing speeding as the major trigger for accidents, Pol Gen Roy also mentioned that sleeping at the wheel, lane switching and unsafe overtaking has led to similar disastrous outcomes. To evade untoward incidents on the road, he suggested that drivers meticulously check their vehicles and get well acquainted with their routes before departing.
On Friday, 157 drunk driving offenders were put behind bars as well, noted by the Police. Pol Lt Gen Nithithorn Chintakanon, who heads the RTP’s national police chief office, set the alcohol consumption limit at 50 milligrammes per decilitre (mg/dL). Any individual exceeding this limit after a breathalyzer test will face charges for drunk driving. Furthermore, underage drivers (below 20 years) lacking a valid driving permit and testing beyond the breath/alcohol limit of 20 mg/dL will invite stern action.
According to Pol Lt Gen Nithithorn, first-time offenders are looking at a maximum of one year of incarceration or 5,000-10,000 baht fines. Second-time convicts within a two-year gap post their initial conviction are expected to shoulder 50-100,000 baht fines and wrestle their sentence in court once again.
Amid this, the state-backed Transport Co revealed that over 58,000 passengers bid farewell to Bangkok on Friday to revisit their hometowns via more than l,000 cross-provincial buses. Transport Co President Sanyalux Panwattanalikit announced the provision of 3,964 return trips on Wednesday to accommodate 50,735 passengers on 7,975 rides, bringing the total round trips to a staggering 109,624.
To eliminate the chances of passengers being stranded at bus or coach stations, ample rides back to the city have been assured by him. He expects the masses to regroup in the city around Aug 2-3, and the Transport Co has geared up its collection of vans and buses to deliver roughly 3,500 rides daily, carrying an average of 35,000 passengers each day.
Sanyalux elaborated that in response to the elevated turnout of commuters, the Transport Co has requested assistance from the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and Taxi Association. Their objective is to arrange seamless connections at the capital’s five primary bus terminals.
Be First to Comment