Under a new regulation issued on Friday (Jan 30) by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, in his capacity as Chief Traffic Officer of Phuket Province, large vehicles will be prohibited from using the underpass between 6am and 9pm.
The restriction applies to trucks with three axles or more, 10-wheel trucks and articulated trucks, as well as large passenger buses with more than 30 seats.
The decision follows a series of discussions and inspections by the Phuket Road Safety Operations Centre sub-committee after multiple accidents involving buses and trucks in the Darasamut Underpass, Maj Gen Sinlert said in the announcement.
Wichit Police Station was instructed to compile accident data from the tunnel area and convene a multi-agency meeting to identify the causes of crashes and propose safety measures, he explained.
That meeting was held on Nov 26, with representatives from Wichit Police and the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO). Also joining the meeting were rep[representatives from Deep Sea Port Co Ltd (which operates the Phuket Deep Sea Port), the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, the Phuket Provincial Tourism and Sports Office and Wichit Municipality.
Officials unanimously agreed that restricting large vehicles during busy daytime hours would reduce the risk of accidents and improve traffic flow through the tunnel, which is a key route linking coastal and urban areas of Mueang district, Maj Gen Sinlert said.
Phuket Provincial Police confirmed the order is being issued under Section 139 of the Land Traffic Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and related National Police Office regulations.
Any previous traffic orders that conflict with the new regulation have been revoked, he added.
Drivers of heavy vehicles and bus operators are urged to comply strictly with the new restriction and to plan alternative routes during the prohibited hours, Maj Gen Sinlert warned.