According to statistics, 51% of people killed in road accidents during Songkran festivals are household heads. 53% of Songkran traffic fatalities occur within a 5-kilometer radius of the residence. ThaiHealth and its partner organizations are running a campaign called “Don’t Drink and Drive; Tipsy Kills” to highlight the effects of small amounts of alcohol on drivers. This is in the hopes of making this year’s Songkran festival a happier time for more households and improving road safety.
ThaiHealth and partner organizations held a press conference to discuss the “Don’t Drink and Drive; Tipsy Kills” Songkran road accident prevention campaign.
Songkran, according to Phra Mahathawi Phothimethi, abbot of Buddhapanya Temple in Nonthaburi province, marks the Thai new year and includes beautiful traditions. He requested that Buddhists refrain from drinking alcohol during Songkran. The abbot stated that alcohol robs people of their conscience and causes a lack of self-control, and that people under the influence of alcohol are easily capable of committing evils.
This year’s campaign, according to ThaiHealth Assistant CEO Pairoj Saonuam, emphasizes the effects that just one glass of alcohol can have on a driver. These impacts can be fatal.
Dr. Pairoj stated that the “safe water play” areas on popular Songkran streets have been expanded to approximately 60 locations. The number of alcohol-free water splashing areas has increased to around 100 across the country.
According to ThaiHealth’s assistant CEO, driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.05% (50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood) doubles the risk of an accident. A blood alcohol level of 100 milligrams more than doubles the risk of an accident. A blood alcohol concentration of 150 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood or higher increases the risk of an accident by up to 40 times and causes the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Drinking and driving penalties have been increased. The maximum penalty for the first offense is one year in prison or a fine ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 baht. A repeat offense occurring within two years of the previous offense is punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine of 50,000 to 100,000 baht. For repeat offenses, the court will always impose a penalty that includes both a jail term and a fine. Furthermore, the repeat offender’s driver’s license will be suspended for at least one year or revoked.
