Road safety during Songkran under scrutiny: again this year, a significant number of accidents and fatalities
The Center for Traffic Accident Prevention and Reduction recently published the performance report for the 2024 Songkran festival. This report shows that 2.044 traffic accidents occurred during the festival, in which 2.060 people were injured and 287 people lost their lives.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul indicated that the main causes of these accidents were speeding, reckless driving and drunk driving. The report further highlighted that motorcycles were often involved in these incidents, especially on straight roads and highways.
Minister Anutin emphasized the importance of analyzing this data and learning from the experiences to improve future security measures. He pointed out the effectiveness of the existing network of checkpoints, which were manned by alert officers to promote road safety.
Finally, the Minister stated that the findings from the festival activities will be evaluated and used to develop comprehensive national strategies aimed at preventing and reducing road accidents. These strategies will be further discussed at future meetings of the Road Safety Operations Center and Cabinet.
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Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and music.
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It's the same story every year, but in fact nothing changes because the government is a master at devising measures but "forgets" to implement them.
I have been coming to Thailand annually for over 18 years now, living there part of the year, and reading Thai media almost daily. I notice that every year after Songkran, and also every year after New Year, it is said that the number of accidents, number of deaths, number of injuries, number of contributions from moped riders, number of alcohol-related, etc., are worrying. Then it is said that they will further evaluate and study the traffic and other data, to learn lessons, take safety measures, and come up with strategies. I have been coming to Thailand for over 18 years and after Songkran nothing changes.
Fortunately, the problem is being tackled seriously, working groups, steering groups and evaluation groups will be put together that will then meet endlessly to ultimately come to the conclusion that things must be better next year.
Next year it will be business as usual again, because the first government that takes away the people's bread and circuses has yet to be born.
Especially that phrase about the alert officers closes the door!!!
As long as those 250.000 police officers do not look up from their phones and only leave their seats when there is something to be 'earned', enforcement of even the simplest rules will be of no use.
And we, the members of this blog, keep complaining that nothing will change 😉
I have had no illusions about this beautiful country for a long time now. I have lived here for about 12 years now and I can say that I know the ins and outs a bit.
The Thai are a special people that sometimes you cannot attach any logic to. Even after 20 years of marriage to my sweet lady, I still get surprises. All I know is that they can sell shows very well, in all kinds of areas. This topic is a good example of it.
I would say, don't be annoyed. Enjoy life, seize the day.
Every year, between 22 and 24.000 people die in traffic in Thailand. That is an average of 60 to 65 deaths per day.
The number of deaths on Songkran is therefore no different than on other days.
I don't think your last sentence is correct, dear Geertg.
If there are 40 deaths on day one and 80 deaths on day two, the average is 60 deaths.
Which day would you choose for relocation if mandatory?
Obviously a truism.
There are days that will be below average and rest assured that the Songkran period will be well above that average. That is the very definition of an average.
The holidays ensure that the average is raised.
Averages don't mean much either.
Someone once drowned because he couldn't swim in water that was on average 30 cm deep 😉