Happy rest stops at 22 gas stations around country

"We want to reduce the number of road accidents during the New Year festivities caused by sleeping and being exhausted while driving car," new Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai said yesterday.

People lose concentration after driving for more than two hours and this doubled the risk of road accidents. So drivers should stop for a while and relax at the checkpoint before starting their trip again, he said.

Witthaya said this happy checkpoint would provide a refreshment towel, soft drink, massage, and bathroom to refresh driver and passengers' body and mind.

"If we find they are very tired after driving for a long time we will ask them to take a bath to refresh their body. Then they can start driving again," he said.

Chief of the Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Dr Nara Nakwattananukul, said his agency joined with Bangchak gas station to provide massages to boost drivers' blood circulation and relax their muscles.

The service would be available at 22 Bangchak gas stations around the country.

According to health records, 85 per cent of road accident last year involved motorbikes, and 71 per cent of accident victims were children aged under 15 without a driver's licence. The youngest accident victim was 10 years old.

The ministry also found the number of motorcyclists who not wearing helmets rose from 89 per cent in 2007 to 96 per cent this year. The highest accident rate was from 4pm to 8pm on December 31 of every year.

Department of Disease Control director-general Dr Somchai Chakbhand said over 41 per cent of road accidents were caused by drunk drivers.

He said the health ministry would control the sale and marketing promotion of alcohol products in markets. Sellers were allowed to sell alcohol from 11am to 2pm and 5pm till midnight. Those violating the law would face fines or jail.

In a bid to save accident victims, Dr Chatree Charoen-chevakul, head of the Emergency Medical Service Centre (EMS or Narendhorn Centre), said rescue and medical teams were ready to help victims within 10 minutes of accident reports.

For people with severe injuries, EMS will ask police to reserve helicopters to rescue victim as soon as possible from risk areas such as Nakhon Ratchasima and Nakhon Sawan, where most accident occur.

People would not have to pay for helicopter rescues during the New Year period. People who witness accidents should call 1669 for emergency services.