The Seven Days of Danger road saftety campaign during the annual Songkran break in Phuket has experienced a worrying start. The Phuket Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office has reported seven road accidents on the third day of the campaign, April 13.
According to the Phuket Express, the accidents resulted in seven injuries across three districts of the island.
The Mueang district saw four road accidents with four injuries, while the Thalang district reported one accident with one injury. Meanwhile, the Kathu district (which includes Patong) had two accidents with two injuries. In total, five males and two females were injured.
The majority of the accidents were attributed to drunk driving, and most traffic charges were given to individuals who were unable to provide their driving licenses.
The first three days of the campaign have seen a total of 25 road accidents, with 25 injuries and one death. The campaign, which runs from April 11 to April 17, aims to reduce the number of accidents on the roads during Songkran, a festival known for its high number of road accidents due to drunk driving and reckless behavior.
The Phuket DDPM has urged drivers to prioritize safety during the remainder of the campaign and has encouraged them to drive responsibly and follow traffic rules. The department has also reminded individuals to avoid drunk driving and to always wear their seatbelts or helmets when on the road.
Nationally, averaging the fist three days of the Seven Days of Danger, there’s been a 24% increase in the number of accidents but 8% fewer deaths, according to the Bangkok Post.
