The Department of Probation is releasing its statistics for driving probations ordered by the court during the Seven Dangerous Days of Songkran from April 11 – 17. On Monday, the court issued 459 probations, 328 of which were for drunk driving cases. The top three provinces with the most drunk drivers were Nonthaburi, Ubon Ratchathani and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
Thailand’s “Seven Dangerous Days of Songkran” road-safety campaign encourages drivers who travel during the Thai New Year to be careful and avoid traffic accidents. The authorities are enforcing strict measures and setting up checkpoints all over the country to monitor the traffic closely and make sure holiday excursions are festive, not fatal.
Today, the director-general of the Department of Probation, Witthawan Suthonkhajit, shared that more than 70% of traffic law violations were for drunk driving. In addition, he said there were also 123 cases of using drugs while driving and 8 cases of reckless driving.
The authority added that drivers charged for drunk driving would be screened using an alcohol screening test. If a suspect was found to be an alcoholic or have a high risk of addiction, they would be sent to state treatment facilities. Moreover, they would be required to participate in a training on how to drive safely and would have to complete social services, such as cleaning traffic signs or trimming trees along the road.
SOURCE: Dailynews | กรมคุมประพฤติ Department of Probation