Road accident prevention center opened as Songkran holiday set to start

BANGKOK, April 11 (TNA) - The Interior Minister opened the road accident prevention center for the dangerous seven-day travel period during the Songkran holiday when the number of road accidents is likely high. Interior Minister Gen.Anupong Paochinda presided over the opening of the center to be operational from April 11-17. The center will work with local communities to deploy volunteers to checkpoints on secondary roads. They will man the checkpoints to remove drunk drivers from the roads. It also instructed all provinces to dispatch officials to provide security at tourist sites and water playing zones while emergency medical units will be mobilized to these areas to ensure safety of Songkran revellers. Gen Anupong said strict measures have been implemented from today to April 17 at accident-prone areas. Traffic law will be fully enforced to prevent excessive speed driving and violation of road rules. (TNA)