Motorcyclists who violate the road safety rule requiring them to wear a helmet will be given community service at hospitals and made to care for patients with brain damage.
The move is part of a new campaign launched by the Ministry of Public Health and relevant agencies to enforce stricter traffic regulations and curb road fatalities.
Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn said he hoped the punishment meted out to motorcycle drivers who don’t wear helmets will make them realize the importance of safety regulations.
Each year, 24,000 people die from road accidents in Thailand, Piyasakol said. Of those road fatalities, 70 percent were motorcycle drivers who did not wear helmets.
Meanwhile, many who survived road accidents became permanently disabled.
So far this year, more than 2,200 have been killed in road accidents and at least 140,000 people injured from January 1 to March 11.
According to last Saturday’s statistics, nearly 30 percent of injuries and deaths nationwide were caused by motorcycle accidents.
Nearly all of those treated for brain damage were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
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