Songkran’s “Seven Dangerous Days” 6th Day Toll, 285 Road Deaths and 2,783 Injuries

34% of the accidents to drunk driving.

 

CHIANG RAI – Between April 11 and April 16, there had been 2,581 road accidents which resulted in 285 road deaths and 2,783 injuries, the department statement said. It attributed 34% of the accidents to drunk driving.

A total of 30 people died and 344 were injured in 291 road accidents on Tuesday, the sixth day of the “seven dangerous days” of Songkran, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported on Wednesday.

About 20% of the deaths and injuries  during the six days of the holiday were the result of motorcyclists not wearing crash helmets.

The department said a  total of 34,066 individuals had been charged for not wearing a helmet.

The director-general of the department, Chatchai Promlert, said accidents were also often caused by people falling  asleep as they drive home, especially during the last days of a holiday.

Drivers should get enough sleep and avoid driving for long stretches of time. They should take a break every 150km, or every two hours, at a rest area or at a service station, he said.

Last Year Chiang Rai had the most accidents, at 106. Nong Bua Lamphu was the only province without road accidents during the period, while there were twelve provinces without road fatalities.