Bangkok: The Road Safety Center has announced that after four days of monitoring road incidents during the New Year holiday period of 2026, there have been a total of 991 accidents resulting in 171 fatalities and 956 injuries. The Center has ordered the implementation of stricter measures to ensure the safety of individuals returning from holiday travels. According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Gen. Ruttapol Naowarat, Minister of Justice, chaired a press conference to summarize the operations of the Road Accident Prevention and Reduction Center. The statistics reveal that on January 3, 2026, the fourth day of the "Safe Driving, Reduce Speed, Reduce Accidents" campaign, 187 accidents occurred leading to 185 injuries and 21 fatalities. The main causes of these accidents were identified as speeding (35.29%) and drunk driving (21.39%). Motorcycles were the most common vehicle involved, accounting for 72.94% of the accidents, with the majority occurring on straight roads (86.10%), highways (47.06%), and local roads (10.16%). The peak time for accidents was identified between 3:01 PM and 6:00 PM. The age group most affected was 20-29 years, with Prachinburi and Phatthalung provinces recording the highest number of accidents. The cumulative data from December 30, 2025, to January 2, 2026, shows that Phuket had the highest number of accidents, while Bangkok recorded the most fatalities. The Road Safety Center emphasized the significant role of "drunk driving" in these statistics, with 94.39% of probation cases related to this offense. Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttapol further detailed intensified prosecution measures for traffic offenders, which include behavioral rehabilitation programs. The aim is to reduce reoffending and promote safe driving habits. Offenders will be required to perform community service at checkpoints to raise awareness. Additionally, the Road Safety Center has prepared for the influx of people returning to Bangkok, by enhancing checkpoints and service points to monitor driver fatigue and enforce compliance w ith safety regulations. The public is urged to avoid drunk driving and utilize public transport if necessary. The Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) is expediting compensation for accident victims, noting that a significant number of motorcycle accidents involved uninsured vehicles. Efforts are ongoing to raise awareness about insurance rights and road safety. Mr. Teerapat Khachamat, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, highlighted the importance of maintaining vigilance against risky behaviors like speeding and drunk driving. The Road Safety Center continues to stress the importance of checking vehicle insurance and adhering to legal alcohol limits to ensure a safer journey for all travelers.
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