Safety First Campaign, following some good news

[rickfarang]

Note: Hard work and Draconian rules (no alcohol for a couple of days) seems to have paid off in a large drop in reported highway accidents and death during the new year celebration.

 

The article below appears to have originated from the Thai News Agency.

 

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Safety First" campaign for motorists to be launched in March

BANGKOK: -- After achieving success in lowering casualties in road accidents during New Year holidays, concerned officials will launch a "Safety First" campaign for motorists, particularly motorcyclists, in March, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister. Pol. Gen. Chidchai Vanasatidya,

 

Thanking officials for their success in helping lowering the incidence of road accidents and casualties during the New Year celebrations, Pol. Gen. Chidchai said on Friday in his capacity as director of Thailand's national road safety command center that the number of highway accidents dropped 39 per cent, while the number of those killed was reduced by 19 per cent during the holidays.

More than 13 million vehicles were inspected during the seven-day period--before and after the New Year--which showed that officials and volunteers worked effectively, he said.

 

The next step, Gen. Chidchai said, is to make it a habit for drivers not to drink when they get behind the wheels.

He said that the "Safety First" campaign for motorists, especially motorcyclists, will be conducted from March 22-24 at the IMPACT Trade and Exhibition Centre in Muang Thong Thani on the outskirts of Bangkok.

According to statistics compiled by the Interior Ministry, the number of persons killed in road accidents during the seven-day period totaled 434, down 5 per cent from the target set by the government, and 4,772 persons were injured, a decline of 51 per cent.

 

Most of the accidents involved motorcycles, the statistics showed -- nearly four out of five.

--TNA 2006-01-07