Drink driving was the main cause of the rise in road accidents during Songkran Festival in Thailand. (Photo: thaivisa.com)Bangkok (VNA) – Drink driving was the main cause of the rise in road accidents during Songkran Festival from April 12-16, the traditional New Year of Thailand.
A total of 378 people were killed and more than 3,570 others injured in 3,418 road accidents during the five-day holiday, reported the Road Safety Centre (RSC) of Thailand.
On April 15 alone, some 552 road accidents occurred, claiming 69 lives and injuring 589 others, 42 percent of which were caused by drink driving.
Thai authorities said about 22,000 people were tested for alcohol use at checkpoints nationwide between April 11 and 15. Some 7,000 drink drivers were taken into custody while more than 10,000 motorcycles and cars were seized.
Thailand has some of the most dangerous roads on the planet, with an estimated 50-60 people dying a day due to road accidents.-VNA
VNA
