Consequences of Songkran Celebrations: A Grim Road Safety Update
The Songkran festival, marking the Thai New Year, has taken a tragic turn as the death toll reaches 158 within the first four days of the holiday. The latest road safety data shows a decrease of 14 deaths compared to the same period in the previous year. The total number of reported road accidents across Thailand is 1,422, resulting in 1,433 injuries from April 11-14.
Songkran’s “Seven Dangerous Days”
Despite the decrease in fatalities, the situation is still alarming with 44 people killed and 368 injured in accidents on Friday alone, the fourth day of the holiday’s “seven dangerous days.” In comparison, there were only 1,207 accidents and 1,188 injuries during the same time frame last year due to certain Covid-19 restrictions still in place, leading to fewer trips.
Causes and Statistics
Speeding remains the leading cause of these road accidents, accounting for 35.6% of incidents, followed by drunk driving at 28.5%, according to Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Interior Ministry, Chotnarin Kerdsom. Motorcycles were involved in an astounding 83.1% of all accidents.
Among the provinces, Nan experienced the highest number of accidents (16) and injuries (16) on Friday. Bangkok, Nakhon Sawan, and Phitsanulok each recorded three fatalities. Throughout the holiday period, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Nan reported the highest cumulative number of road accidents, with 45 each. Nakhon Si Thammarat also had the highest number of injuries (48), while Bangkok saw the most deaths (12).
Evaluating Traffic Rules and Safety Measures
As a response to the alarming number of road accidents, authorities have set up 1,862 road checkpoints throughout the country. So far, 351,228 vehicles have been stopped for checks, leading to 52,422 motorists facing action for violating traffic rules. Among those, 15,467 offenders did not have driving licenses, and 15,144 failed to wear crash helmets.
These statistics serve as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining road safety during the Songkran festival and beyond. Authorities and citizens alike need to continue to work together to ensure that celebrations can be enjoyed safely and responsibly, free from the tragic loss of life and devastating injuries.
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