Drunk, helmetless riders the cause of accidents

The ministry's Injury Information Centre reported that injuries, deaths and the amount of drink-driving cases from December 30, 2008, to January 5, 2009, were reduced from 57 per cent during the 2007-2008 New Year holiday to 44 per cent during 2008-2009 New Year period.

 But Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Prat Boonyawongviroj said motorcycles remained the major cause of mortality with 84 per cent.

Half of the road-accident victims were injured between December 31, 2008, and January 1. Driving without a helmet and or when drunk were the main risky behaviours that caused road accidents.

The Health Ministry also found that pickup trucks and public buses were the cause of major road accidents as drivers were drunk, fell asleep at the wheel or simply exhausted. Car drivers were faulted for not fastening their seat belts or driving at high speed.

Prat said that teenagers under 18 caused the most concern as this group had the highest mortality rate - 26 per cent when compared with other age groups. He said about 88 per cent of teenagers were motorcycle riders, many of whom resorted to risky behaviour. The ministry found that 88 per cent of them did not wear helmets while riding and 27 per cent drank alcohol before riding.

"Relevant agencies should have strict controls to effectively reduce injuries and deaths from road accidents," he said.

The agencies should control riders' habit of being drunk while driving and increase the number of checkpoints in high-risk areas especially between 4pm and 8pm, the time when most accidents occurred, he added.

They should set up special routes for motorcycles in some areas and also check bus drivers, particularly during the period before the Songkran festival. Bus drivers should not be allowed to exceed the limit on the number of passengers.

The road safety agency should also create a safe driving environment for children. They should revise the age of applicants for driver licences. Also, relevant agencies should establish rest points for drivers, he said.