Besides ensuring each van’s brake system worked properly, all seats had belts, tyres were in proper condition, and the vehicles equipped with safety items like hammer and fire-extinguisher, he and officials also checked on drivers’ sobriety.

Surachai said all transport vans were supposed to install the GPS system, which involved swiping a card, to monitor if any driver was speeding. If any driver were found to have used another driver’s card, the card owner would be held responsible for any violation of law by the borrower, he warned.

Phichit also launched a campaign on March 13, valid until April 24, to provide free-of-charge inspections for personal vehicles. He instructed cargo trucks and those transporting hazardous items to avoid using the roads from April 11-17.

Earlier on Thursday, Minister of Transport Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said his agency aimed to reduce road accidents on highways by five per cent, or less than 1,290 cases compared to the previous Songkran’s 1,358 cases. Among the measures being taken are: repairs of roads, better lighting, visible traffic signs, rest stops that offer refreshments and other services to drivers and passengers, real-time traffic monitoring system, the Highway Department’s free hotline 1586 to advise around the clock and toll-free motorway services from April 11-18.

He also urged motorists to not exceed the legal speed limit, to use the headlights and to fasten seatbelts.