Phuket Vice Governor Anupap Rodkwan Yodrabam revealed the goal during a meeting of the Phuket Province Road Safety Administrative Center Committee at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (June 14).
The goal is to reduce the rate of road accident deaths to 12 people per 100,000 population by the year 2027, Vice Governor Anupap told the meeting, held at the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket).
The lofty goal would see Phuket’s current resident population of over 500,000 suffer “only” 41 road deaths a year.
However, Phuket has already suffered 42 deaths and 7,079 people injured in road accidents so far this year, according to the Thai Road Safety Council.
Last year, while under severe travel constraints greatly hampering the arrival of tourists on the island, Phuket suffered 70 deaths and 13,138 people injured in road accidents.
In 2020, Phuket suffered 106 deaths and 16,859 people injured in road accidents.
Vice Governor Anupap pointed out that achieving the goal would require a concerted effort by all agencies involved.
“Operations such as strict enforcement of the law by responsible officers and the prosecution of violators for non-compliance with the law to receive the maximum penalty so that drivers strictly comply with the law,” was one of the key requirements, he said.
Other actions included making road crossing areas safe, such as by ensuring drivers have reduced speed before reaching the crosswalk, as well as providing clear traffic markings on the road surfaces.
More clearly visibly traffic warning signs were required, for both drivers and pedestrians, to be able to see clearly, were also required.
Road safety awareness activities at schools were needed to ensure safety, especially at school crossings, V/Gov Anupap said.
“Awareness campaigns are needed to educate drivers of the losses that may occur from undisciplined driving and not following traffic rules,” he added.
All local municipalities are to hold such activities every month, and inform the committee of their efforts to improve road safety over the past month on the fifth day of each month, V/Gov Anupap said.