The last day of the campaign, yesterday (Jan 4), saw officials recognise just seven road accidents, from which five people admitted to hospital for injuries.
National road safety agency ThaiRSC, however, recorded five people killed in road accidents in Phuket during the seven days, Phuket’s worst tally since 2019, when the island seven deaths on the roads over the New Year holidays.
At a press conference held at the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, Governor Sophon was told that motorbikes were the vehicles most frequently involved in accidents, with the leading cause attributed to risky behaviors such as driving above the speed limit.
DDPM-Phuket Chief Udomphon Kan shared key road accident prevention directives for the campaign, saying the guidelines aimed to heighten awareness regarding high-risk behaviors contributing to accidents, particularly among children and youth.
The measures included enforcing speed limit regulations, preventing drunk driving, promoting safe following distances, and advocating helmet use. Strict initiatives have been proposed, including 100% helmet usage compliance at the local level within educational institutions, communities and villages.
The provincial administration is collaborating with relevant agencies to monitor and verify accident information during the control period, ensuring accurate reporting to the Road Safety Administration Center, the meeting was told.
Additionally, there is a focus on following up on legal proceedings related to accidents involving individuals under 20 years of age.
In response to concerns about maritime safety, Governor Sophon announced a comprehensive training session scheduled for Jan 26. The session, organised by the Phuket Provincial Tourism and Sports Office, will equip boat drivers, helmsmen and crew members with essential knowledge about boats, safety protocols, service etiquette, and weather forecasts, bolstering confidence in marine tourism.
Phuket Province remains committed to creating a safer environment on both roads and seas, implementing proactive measures to curb accidents and protect the well-being of its residents and visitors, Governor Sophon said.