BANGKOK, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Ministry of Transport on Tuesday said that the number of road accidents dropped by 13 percent last month, partly due to the stay-home-policy during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
The Ministry's Department of Highways reported that the month of May saw 1,042 accidents, resulting in 175 deaths and 776 injuries.
"Compared to May 2019, the number of road accidents has dropped by 13 percent, with a 29 percent decrease in injuries," the department said in its latest report. "However, the death toll has risen by 17 percent."
The department said records were collected by the Highway Accident Information Management System, which records the types and major causes of road accidents.
The report said that the number one cause to accidents was exceeding the speed limit, followed by overtaking at a close distance, dozing off while driving and drivers experiencing malfunctioning equipment.
The regions that witnessed the highest number of road accidents are the Northeast at 23 percent, followed by the North at 22 percent, and the South at 14 percent.
However, when divided by province, Bangkok tops the accident chart followed by Nakhon Ratchasima in the North-east and Chon Buri in the East.
Meanwhile, the ministry is warning motorists to stay vigilant as the night curfew had been lifted and the majority of COVID-19 restriction measures have been eased. Enditem
