Are Phuket's Roads Safer Now? Please Tell Us What You Think Via the Comment Box Below
STATISTICS for Phuket's road toll in 2008 show a remarkable improvement that appears to have resulted in scores of lives being saved.
According to figures from the island's three public hospitals, the death toll from road mishaps fell from 201 in 2007 to 136 in 2008.
Police attribute the dramatic improvement to more people wearing motorcycle helmets and safety belts and checkpoint campaigns to lower speeds, plus increase awareness of good driving habits.
The Chief of Police, Major General Apirak Hongtong, said: ''We have more checkpoints in the daytime as well as at night. We also now have them in places where people do not expect them.''
The helmet theory is probably a good one, combined with more people wearing safety belts.
The law banning use of mobile telephones on moving vehicles may also have contributed to improved safety, along with improved roads and better signage.
While deaths declined dramatically, the number of injured rose from 11,049 in 2007 to 13,840 in 2008.
The number of deaths involving motorcycles dropped from 159 in 2007 to 106 in 2008, while those involving other vehicles fell from 39 in 2007 to 27.
The number of deaths in other situations remained at three.
Statistics were provided by Phuket's three public hospitals, Vachira Hosptial in Phuket City, Thalang Hospital and Patong Hospital.
The worst month of the 24 months recorded was February 2007, when 28 people died on the roads.January and April were the worst of 2008, with 18 deaths apiece.
Police statistics separately record numbers of accidents, dead and injured in incidents involving legal action.
They differ from the hospital figures but reflect a similar large drop in the number of deaths, together with an increase in the number of injured.
The police statistics show that officers were called to the scene of 2680 mishaps in 2008, compared to 1222 in 2007.
Major General Apirak has been named one of Thailand's Top Ten Police Officers in a recent poll.
Are Phuket's Roads Safer Now? Please Tell Us What You Think Via the Comment Box Below
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