Phuket officials seek targeted measures after nine major crashes
A Phuket road-safety workshop examined crash risks and ways to reduce deaths and injuries after the province recorded nine major accidents during the period discussed.
Phuket officials are seeking targeted road-safety measures after the province recorded nine major accidents during the period discussed at a workshop in Phuket Town. Each crash was defined as involving two or more deaths.
The Phuket Provincial Road Safety Command Center held the workshop at Bhukitta Boutique Hotel on 16 August, with Vice Governor Khetarat Chansilp presiding. Officials said detailed analysis of crash data, underlying causes and risk behaviours was needed to develop measures suited to particular areas and groups.
Participants were introduced to Haddon’s Matrix, which examines factors before, during and after a crash, and the Swiss Cheese Model, which identifies gaps in safety systems and possible preventive measures. The training also aimed to improve coordination between the provincial command centre, district-level road-safety centres and local administrative organisations.
Phuket Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office chief Warat Surawadee, Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Pol Col Phatsakorn Sonthikun, government department heads and representatives of local authorities and road-safety organisations attended.
Officials noted that Phuket’s heavy traffic includes residents, workers, and Thai and foreign tourists, making road safety important for both public safety and visitor confidence. The workshop received academic support from the ThaiRoads Foundation and funding from the Provincial Road Accident Prevention Support Program (Southern Region), in cooperation with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
Participants are expected to use the tools and knowledge from the workshop to identify risks and develop measures aimed at reducing road deaths and injuries as Phuket works towards becoming a “Road Safe City”.
