Confirmation of the extended “intensive period” for the annual road safety campaign came at the meeting of the Phuket Road Safety Operations Center Committee at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Dec 18).
The meeting saw heads of key departments and agencies present, along with scores of representatives for government offices across the island.
The meeting reviewed the province’s road safety situation, focusing on the enforcement of key traffic laws targeting the 10 main causes of accidents. Specifically identified were speeding, drunk driving, motorbike riders not wearing helmets, noted one official report of the meeting.
Of note, people caught driving without a valid driver’s licence was not mentioned.
While Phuket officials in recent years have stopped announcing the number of arrests during ‘Seven Days’ safety campaigns, for decades previously more people were stopped and fined for driving without a licence than all the others combined.
Regardless, at the meeting yesterday specific attention was given to addressing high-risk areas, particularly along Thepkrasattri Rd (Route 402) and its vicinity.
Preparations for the period include setting up integrated checkpoints across Phuket and establishing an efficient performance reporting system, the report said.
Measures to enhance the safety of public buses and rental cars were also discussed, aiming to protect both locals and tourists traveling within the province, said another official report of the meeting.
Vice Governor Adul emphasised the importance of strict law enforcement to combat major risk factors, such as speeding, drunk driving and failure to wear helmets. He also called on agencies to leverage the Road Safety Operations Center’s mechanisms to drive these efforts, ensuring the effective coordination of initiatives at all levels, the report added.
In addition to enforcement, the meeting highlighted the need for better data integration to analyse accident trends and develop targeted solutions. Authorities also plan to intensify public awareness campaigns to promote traffic discipline and responsible road use, the report said.
Vice Governor Adul urged immediate action to repair roads affected by flooding or damage, ensuring safe travel conditions. He stressed that these efforts must be completed urgently to reduce accident risks and improve mobility for the public.
Also of note, the meeting confirmed that the “intensive control period” for the ‘Seven Days’ safety campaign for Songkran Festival 2025 will remain just seven days, from April 11-17, said one of the official reports.
Both the New Year 2025 and the Songkran Festival 2025 campaigns will have an emphasis on 5 measures for safety, comprising:
- Management by setting up command centres and operations centres at all levels, campaigns to increase road-safety awareness among communities, creating control points such as ‘family checkpoints’ and safe water play areas during the Songkran Festival.
- Reducing road risk factors by improving road conditions, adding safety warning signs at risk points.
- Reducing vehicle risk factors by controlling and inspecting passenger cars and private vehicles, and setting up speed checkpoints.
- Educating road users about the law, creating a list of risky individuals in the area, and strictly diagnosing intoxication.
- Providing assistance after an accident by preparing emergency systems, doctors and 24-hour assistance agencies.
“Phuket Province has the highest goal for people to travel safely and reduce the loss of life and property during the country’s important festivals,” the official report concluded.