Pol. Col. Phatsakorn Sonthikun, Deputy Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police, chaired the meeting of the Road and Marine Accident Prevention and Reduction Operation Center during the New Year festival 2024 at Provincial Hall this morning (Dec 29), where he was joined by Sophon Thongsai, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, as well as heads of government agencies, police, local administrative organisations, and relevant agencies.
It takes the total to one death and 19 accidents on Phuket’s roads in the 48 hour time period since the campaign began at midnight on Dec 27. There was one death and 11 accidents on Dec 27.
Motorcycles were the most common vehicle involved in the accidents on Department of Highways roads, with riders not wearing helmets a significant issue.
With this year’s campaign also extending to marine safety under an initiative launched on Dec 26 entitled ‘Road and Marine Accident Prevention and Reduction Operations Center’, this morning’s report confirmed there were no accidents, injuries or deaths in local waters in the 24-hour period yesterday, a similar result in the previous 24 hours.
Pol Col Phatsakorn also used this morning’s meeting to remind authorities and drivers to be mindful of responsible approaches to road safety, with a particular emphasis on monitoring speeding, drunk driving, not wearing helmets and not wearing seat belts.
He stressed that checkpoints have been set up by police in appropriate areas to facilitate and create safety for people and tourists travelling across the island.
He added that it is hoped this road safety campaign during the 2024 New Year holiday period will help reduce the number of accidents and the loss of life and property of the public and that authorities will continue to evaluate and improve measures for maximum efficiency throughout this period.
This year’s road safety campaign began at midnight on Dec 27 and continues until midnight at the end of Jan 5.