High road toll a blowNumerous deaths and injuries related to road accidents over the past three days, almost half way into the extra holidays during the Songkran festival, once again attest to the fact the government's approach to tackling the road toll is of no use. It's likely that accident and death rates -- like in previous years -- will not change much when the designated period ends on April 16. The Royal Thai Police resumed checkpoint operations shortly ahead of the Songkran holidays with the hope that road safety could be boosted. What is needed particularly is comprehensive policy and action plan, and synergy among state agencies and civic groups, to curb road accidents in everyday life. It's time the government learn from its past failures; it needs more than a one-time effort -- like the designated seven-day period -- to achieve road safety.
Source: Bangkok Post April 13, 2021 23:02 UTC