Here we go again ...

[Flashermac]

THE NATION

10 April 2006

 

 

First three days of Songkran holiday claim 110 lives

 

 

Road accidents claimed 110 lives and injured 1,260 nationwide in the first three days of the 10 day Songkran holiday, the Road Safety Centre reported on Thursday.

 

The number of accidents in the first three days was 1,130, 4.4 percent down on last year's 1,182, said Deputy Interior Minister Sermsak Pongpanit, in his capacity as the centre's deputy director.

 

Topping the list of fatalities by province is Songkhla, with eight. In second place is Chiang Mai, with five, followed by Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom and Phichit, each with four, Sermsak said.

 

On Sunday alone, the third day of the holiday, there were 399 road accidents, in which 42 people were killed and 450 injured. Sermsak said the accidents resulted mainly from drunk driving and speeding at 34.84 and 20.55 per cent, respectively. About 82 per cent of the accidents involved motorcycles, he said.

 

In the first three days, police officers stopped 679,735 vehicles at checkpoints around the country and 27,270 motorists received charges, most of which involved riding a motorcycle without a helmet, failing to present a driving licence and reckless motorbike riding.

 

Meanwhile, Acting Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya said he was not worried about the accident toll as the figures were still under control and many preventive measures had been implemented this Songkran. He urged people who had been drinking not to drive, as drunk driving was the main cause of accidents. He said the authorities had prohibited the sale of alcohol at roadside stalls and gas stations.

 

Surasit Silpangam, manager of the Don't Drive Drunk Foundation, said he was astonished by the number of deaths, when compared to the New Year's successful control measures. He suggested the higher number of casualties over Songkran might be because the long holiday caused people to drink heavily and many factories closed early and held parties before workers left for their home provinces.

 

Surasit also said the political turmoil had overshadowed the Songkran road safety campaign, while the New Year campaign received more attention and was spearheaded by the prime minister.

 

Meanwhile, a woman was killed and four people were injured yesterday morning when the driver of the bus they were on dozed off and slammed into an electric pole in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district. The bus was travelling from Udon Thani to Chiang Mai with about 20 passengers.

 

Udon Thani native Siriwimol Thongyos, 26, sustained a fatal injury and died at hospital. Driver Sameur Pudpong, 55, allegedly admitted falling asleep at the wheel after driving for two days without sleep.

[jitagawn]

" Driver Sameur Pudpong, 55, allegedly admitted falling asleep at the wheel after driving for two days without sleep."

 

:: :: :: ::

:banghead:

 

Duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Flashermac]

Common enough for long haul drivers to use uppers to stay awake. When the pill finally wears off, they just fall asleep at the wheel and crash into something -- often oncoming traffic! That is one of the main reasons never to drive at night upcountry.

[Torneyboy]

Yes..Russian roulette on the roads...

[sayjann]

'Meanwhile, Acting Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya said he was not worried about the accident toll as the figures were still under control'

 

interesting outlook,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Flashermac]

That means he is adjusting the figures to make them look better???

 

[chuckwoww]

It means he controls the person who controls the figures.

[Flashermac]

So why doesn't he do something about the mulititude of fatties dancing in Soi Cowboy bars these days? Their figures need some controlling.