PM holds road safety meeting

Government House, The Prime Minister discussed road safety after the UN supported the Road Safety project, campaigning for helmet wearing to reduce accidents and increase safety on the road. Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister, chaired the meeting to discuss road safety prevention, which was attended by Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Mr. Nikorn Chamnong, Advisor to the Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, Assoc. Prof. Wisanu Sapsompol, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Asst. Prof. Dr. Thanapong Intra, representative of the Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), Mr. Thanantchai Mekprasertwanich, Director of the Policy and Planning Division, Traffic and Transportation Department (TPD), Bangkok. The Prime Minister said that last March he had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Jean Todt, a world-class racing driver, former executive of Ferrari and President of the FIA, at his residence on the outskirts of Paris. They discussed the extension of the matter of bringing Formula E, an electric car racing competition, to Thailand. Mr. Todt was interested in such cooperation and was ready to support the organization of the competition. In addition, there was discussion about the Road Safety project supported by the UN to reduce accidents from cars on the road, which can be done by wearing a helmet. The Prime Minister also said that this project is a good project. Wearing a standard helmet is an important thing in reducing accidents from using cars on the road. The government and related agencies emphasize the prototype of producing standard helmets with a price lower than 700 baht so that everyone can access it. As a result of the discussion, there has been cooperation in organizing the UN Road Special Envoy for Road Safety project in Thailand in a tangible way from November 1-6. Mr. Todt came to join the activity in Thailand together with the Thai government to create safety while driving on public roads (Public Safety) a nd asked to coordinate with the Ferrari Owners Clubs and Porsche groups to join in organizing the highlight of the Road Safety activity. The Bangkok governor mentioned the development of a mechanism to solve the injury problem of the Bangkok Road Safety Center by creating youth as leaders in reducing accidents, 'Children start, adults join', through promoting the development of knowledge, understanding, awareness, and awakening the power of youth to know how to join in creating safe roads for all ages without loss. In addition, the project to promote 100% helmet wearing among students under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is as follows: 1. The Traffic and Transportation Department has implemented a project to promote 100% helmet wearing among students under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. 2. The Education Department has developed guidelines for management and promotion of helmet wearing among students in schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Admin istration. 3. The Road Safety Operation Center (RSOC) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration have implemented a campaign to promote 100% helmet wearing among schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration by requesting cooperation from safety networks to participate in the operation. The origin of the UN Road Special Envoy for Road Safety project is a mission of the United Nations (UN) that has started to emphasize road safety since 2015. In 2024, it is the first year that Thailand has joined the project under the leadership of Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister, as the "Friend of the Special Envoy". The project addresses road safety in various aspects, whether it is pedestrian safety or vehicle safety. The main points that the Road Safety project focuses on are 6 aspects of road safety, such as 1. Wearing a seatbelt while driving 2. Speed ??limit while driving 3. Using a helmet that meets the standards and has passed the UN test when driving a motorcycle 4. Do not drive while drinking alcohol 5 . Do not drive if tired or sleepy 6. Do not use a phone while driving. Source: Thai News Agency