Bangkok (VNA) – Drink driving was the maincause 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 3,570others injured in 3,418 road accidents during the five-day holiday, reportedthe 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 drinkdriving.
Thai authorities said about 22,000 people were tested foralcohol use at checkpoints nationwide between April 11 and 15. Some 7,000 drinkdrivers were taken into custody while more than 10,000 motorcycles and carswere seized.
Thailand has some of the most dangerous roads on theplanet, with an estimated 50-60 people dying a day due to road accidents.-VNA