Songkran Travelers Warned to Avoid Drinking and Driving
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BANGKOK (NNT) - The Court of Justice has urged drivers to refrain from drinking before getting behind the wheel during the upcoming Songkran festival, in light of the increase in accidents caused by drunk driving over the past two years.
Court of Justice Spokesperson Sorawit Limparangsi noted that there were 13,103 violations of the Land Traffic Act during the "seven dangerous days" around the Songkran festival in 2021, with over 93% of those charged with drunk driving.
Last year, the number of people charged with violating traffic laws increased by about 28% from the previous year to 17,909. This year, 15,609 people were found guilty of drunk driving, 1,274 for driving without a license, 980 for driving while impaired by narcotics, and 47 for negligent driving.
According to Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri, there were 1,324 deaths and 110,152 injuries during the Songkran Festival from 2018 to 2022, with most accidents involving individuals aged 15-19.
To prepare for this year’s festival, the Interior Ministry’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has also set up a command center, chaired by Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda, to coordinate work between government agencies and provide assistance to the public.
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Reporter : Paul Rujopakarn
Rewriter : Tarin Angskul
National News Bureau : http://thainews.prd.go.th
