The announcement came at the daily briefing for the campaign held at Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket) this morning (Dec 30).
The meeting, chaired by Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai, was joined by police officials, public health representatives district chiefs and heads of local agencies.
Also present was DDPM Phuket Chief Sopon Thongsai, who reported the statistics for road accidents for the 24 hours of yesterday (Dec 29), Day 3 of the campaign.
Phuket officials recorded eight road accidents for yesterday, comprising six accidents in Muang District and two accidents in Kathu District, resulting in eight people receiving hospital treatment for injuries.
Among the injured were Russian, Chinese and US nationals.
The latest report brought the tally since the campaign began on Friday to one man killed and 27 hospitalised for injuries sustained in 27 accidents across the island.
The primary causes of accidents include speeding and not wearing helmets, with motorcycles being the most frequently involved vehicles, said an official report of the meeting.
Police reported 2,020 prosecutions for 10 major traffic offenses in just the past three days, the report confirmed.
As is tradition, driving without a license was the most common violation, with police reporting 914 cases in the first 72 hours of the campaign.
Failing to wear a helmet while riding a motorbike placed second, with 677 cases, while police caught 53 people driving under the influence of alcohol.
There were no incidents reported regarding marine safety.
According to the report, Vice Governor Samawit emphasised the importance of proactive safety measures, including:
- Regular checks on bus readiness and driver capabilities
- Enhancing public service areas for safety
- Strict enforcement of community and family checkpoints
- Coordinating with agencies to improve road conditions
- Campaigning to reduce speeding and promote adherence to traffic laws
Pol Col Phatsakorn Sonthikun, Deputy Commander of Phuket Provincial Police, urged officials to inspect worker camps and advise foreign workers, particularly those from Myanmar, to avoid driving if consuming alcohol during New Year celebrations, the report noted.
Business operators were also asked to ensure stricter supervision of foreign workers.
The Phuket Highways District Office reported ongoing efforts to repair damaged road surfaces and enhance traffic conditions as part of accident prevention strategies.
Officials at the meeting appealed to the public to follow traffic laws and avoid risky behaviours to ensure a safe and joyful New Year’s celebration for all, the report concluded.