Phuket officials renew push to reduce road accidents
The commitment ‒ made every year ‒ was made again during a provincial road safety review meeting chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Teeraphong Chuaychoo at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (May 19).
Phuket officials renewed their annual push to reduce road accidents during a provincial road safety review meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on May 19. The session, chaired by Vice Governor Teeraphong Chuaychoo, brought together disaster prevention officers, road safety programme representatives, local authorities and district officials to assess current measures and set targets for cutting deaths on the roads.
Fatality targets set through 2027
Provincial officials said they want to reduce the road fatality rate to below 87.45 deaths per 100,000 population this year. They also set a longer-term goal of cutting the rate to no more than 44.88 deaths per 100,000 population by 2027.
National road safety agency ThaiRSC has recorded 64 road deaths and 11,843 injuries in Phuket so far this year. Those figures were reviewed alongside existing accident reduction efforts in high-risk areas.
Officials focus on blackspots, motorcycles and speeding
The meeting examined recurring crash sites and the use of statistical data to identify problem areas and improve planning, according to an official report. Measures discussed included traffic discipline campaigns, stronger training for operational teams and continued accident investigations aimed at fixing dangerous locations.
Officials identified three major risk factors: the growing number of motorcycles on the roads, speeding behaviour and hazardous road layouts, especially at intersections and known blackspots. Mitigation already introduced in some areas includes speed bumps, road surface improvements and changes in the management of high-risk traffic areas.
District-level road safety centres also reviewed an operating model that combines data from police, public health officials, administrative offices and local authorities. The information is used in monthly meetings to analyse accident causes and track whether safety measures are working.
Road safety network representatives proposed wider public awareness campaigns focused on traffic discipline, particularly among young people, through training programmes and safe driving activities. District representatives then split into working groups to review local operations, identify obstacles and share solutions for the province’s long-term accident reduction strategy.
Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-officials-aim-to-reduce-road-accidents-100300.php
