Road deaths rise to 256 after five days of New Year’s holiday travel
Drunk driving topped the list of traffic offenses sent to the courts
On Wednesday, heavy traffic is seen in the Nang Rong district of Buri Ram province, when New Year’s Eve festivities begin to return to Bangkok. (Photo by Surachai Piragsa)
The cumulative death toll rose to 256 on Tuesday, the fifth day of the “seven dangerous days” of the New Year’s holiday trip, with Bangkok recording the most deaths.
A total of 256 people were killed and 2,588 injured in 2,529 traffic accidents across the country from December 27 to 31, Veera Khengkasikarn, inspector general of the Ministry of Education, said on Wednesday.
As of December 31 alone, a total of 42 people had died and 567 were injured in 542 traffic accidents across the country.
If the figures are correct, the road toll was slightly lower in terms of deaths and significantly lower in terms of injuries than on an average day in Thailand.
Traffic accidents killed 45 people and injured 2,523 each day on average from January to October 2020, according to data collected by Central Road Accident Victims Protection Co.
During the period from December 27 to 31, Bangkok recorded the highest number of deaths at twelve, while Chiang Mai recorded the highest number of injuries and traffic accidents at 77 and 76 respectively. Eleven provinces recorded no deaths.
Veera said many partygoers were expected to return to Bangkok on Wednesday. Traffic on major roads would be heavier, he warned.
Alcohol driving topped the list of traffic offenses sent to the courts from Dec. 27 to 31, with 18,314 criminals, Justice Court spokesman Suriyan Hongwilai said.
The other two main offenses sent to court during the New Year holidays were driving without a license (2,947) and driving under the influence of drugs (259), Suriyan said.