277 killed in crashes over break

277 killed in crashes over break

Drink-driving still a major problem

A total of 277 people were killed and 2,357 injured in almost 2,400 road accidents over this year’s Songkran holiday period, with drink-driving involved in over a third of crashes reported this year, traffic officials said yesterday.

Deputy permanent secretary for the interior and chairman of the road accident prevention sub-committee, Asnit Samphantharat, said the figures represent accidents reported between April 10-16, when authorities stepped up its road safety campaign in light of the anticipated surge in holiday traffic across the country.

On Friday, 26 people died and 255 others injured in 253 accidents. Speeding was the leading cause of accidents that day, followed by drink-driving, he said, before adding 83% of Friday’s crashes…