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Anywhere in the world, travelling seasons are always accompanied by accidents as more people are on the roads. It was just during the Thaksin era that people were encouraged to monitor the death tolls on a daily basis, as then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra started to play God by setting the maximum death toll for each year.

Last year, during the holiday period, about 400 were killed, down by 48 from the previous year. Authorities claimed that the figures had dropped due to their own seriousness in tackling drink-driving, the most important cause of accidents.

This year the Public Health Ministry is opening checkpoints where exhausted travellers can rest.

Most accidents today are caused by reckless road-users. Some drivers don't bother to slow down when the traffic lights turns yellow. Many try to get into others' lanes without giving signals; when the others do not give in, the result is they clash.

These are of course infringements, and such drivers should have points deducted leading to the confiscation of their driving licences or temporary suspension. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the policy is not enforced, particularly with the drivers of public vehicles like buses or taxis.

I kind of like a radio commercial that said that half of life depends on others. No matter how careful we are on the roads, if a reckless driver is nearby, our own lives are at risk. Those in their own vehicles are lucky as they are in control of half of their lives, but imagine getting on a bus or in a cab with a reckless driver. The passengers put all of their lives in someone else's hands.

I remember the tale of a Chinese bus-driver who was so angry with a man who had cut into his lane that having abused him verbally he simply walked away, as getting involved in a fist fight could cost him his licence. In most cities in Europe, drivers as well as their buses are required to have at least eight hours off to ensure the safety of passengers.

I am certain that with good rules strictly enforced we would not need to raise awareness each year. People should be forced to respect others' lives, even when they don't value their own. That would be a great New Year present to all.

Happy New Year!