Bus inspectors deployed for Songkran road safety

BANGKOK, April 9 (TNA) -- The Transport Ministry has deployed road safety inspectors to ensure safe services by passenger buses during the Songkran festival. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith launched traffic inspectors on patrol motorcycles at the Victory Monument in Bangkok on Monday. The inspectors would focus on raising road safety awareness among staff of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) which operates passenger buses. Executives of the BMTA and the Land Transport Department witnessed the ceremony. On the occasion, Mr Arkhom said bus drivers and motorists in general should drive slowly, turn on headlights and fasten safety belts to ensure road safety especially during the Songkran long holidays. Apart from the road safety inspectors, the Transport Ministry was trying to promote road safety during Songkran holidays by ordering its agencies to provide enough and convenient transport services, facilitate traffic flows, maintain roads and operate service tents on 77 main roads nationwide, the minister said. Officials at the service tents would be checking drivers of public transit vehicles to guarantee that they were ready for services and were not influenced by narcotics and alcohol, he said. (TNA)