As the Songkran festival approaches, the Court of Justice is urging drivers to refrain from drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel, in response to the rising number of accidents caused by drunk driving during the past two years.
According to Court of Justice spokesperson Sorawit Limparangsi, during the “seven dangerous days” around the Songkran festival in 2021, there were 13,103 violations of the Land Traffic Act, 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.
The figures are alarming, and government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri emphasized that from 2018 to 2022, there were 1,324 deaths and 110,152 injuries during the Songkran Festival, with the majority of accidents involving individuals aged 15-19.
To address the issue and ensure public safety during the festival, the Interior Ministry’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has established a command center, chaired by Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda, to coordinate work between government agencies and provide assistance to the public.
As people prepare to celebrate the festival, it is important to remember that safety should always come first. The Court of Justice urges drivers to be responsible and avoid drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel to prevent the unnecessary loss of life and injury on the road.
