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Published on January 11, 2008

It attributed the decrease to greater public awareness of the dangers of drinking when driving. Between December 28 and January 3 there were 3,212 convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol.

The courts handled 165 separate driving offences. Probation was ordered in all cases, the department's director-general Nattee Jitsawang said.

This New Year saw 1,727 fewer drink-driving prosecutions. Last year there were 4,774 reported cases.

The most prosecutions this New Year were in Bangkok with 348, followed by Nakhon Ratchasima 332, Surin 225, Buri Ram 193, Lampang 171, Ratchaburi 156, Chaiyaphum 139, Khon Kaen 100, Sakhon Nakhon 94 and Si Sa Ket 92.

Nattee credited a continuous anti-drunk-driving campaign for increasing awareness among drivers to 80 per cent.

Drivers have learned that it is an offence that will land them in court and with a probation or social-service sentence if convicted.

He said motorists were now more careful.

The department and traffic police are now setting their sights on the Songkran festival in April. Again, checkpoints will be set up to catch offenders.

Nattee explained that probation sentences included safe-driving training and instruction in the road code. Convicted drivers will be taught the dangers of combining alcohol and vehicles, as well as be shown the real-life effects of accidents caused by drink.

Social service involves painting traffic signs, working as traffic volunteers, caring for accident victims, donating blood and cleaning public spaces.