National—
At 10:30 AM, on December 27th, 2023, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Deputy Prime Minister, and relevant agencies held a conference on the initiative of prevention measures to reduce road accidents for the safety of drivers during the New Year holidays.
Anutin publicly revealed that the Thai government regarded the safety of drivers a top priority, especially during the New Year holidays as many people travel to their hometowns or visit tourist attractions. The risk of road accidents might occur more than usual.
The Thai government has integrated all relevant agencies to enforce road safety measures during the New Year’s celebrations. The purpose is to reduce road accidents, casualties, and injury rates to at least 5% compared to the statistics during the same period of the last 3 years, said Anutin.
Furthermore, Thai law enforcement would strictly intensify safety measures in all aspects including drivers, roads, vehicles, and environments. The roads must be properly maintained in good condition, moreover, the vehicles must be regularly maintained, particularly in public transportation, safety equipment, and drivers’ conditions need to be ready before being on the road, remarked Anutin.
Anutin further warned that people who drive under the influence of alcohol would be at risk of their lives and that other drivers and entertainment service providers need to follow the rules strictly to reduce road accidents from DUIs.
The Thai government also discussed a new road safety program aimed to enhance the thinking skills and traffic safety of children and youths as a mandatory education system, considered Anutin.