The high road accident rate in Thailand is damaging the economy, the Accident Prevention Network says.
An average of 61 people are dying every day on Thai roads. This figure is based on 22,356 people having been killed in road accidents in 2016, network director Phrommin Kanthiya said on Wednesday.
In addition to this alarming figure, more than 5,000 people were left disabled in road accidents.
Most victims are part of the workforce, Mr Phrommin said. This could be costing the domestic economy "several billion baht a year."
The announcement comes at a time when the government is struggling to boost the economy.
Mr Phrommin said that the state and private sector cannot improve road safety without help from local communities.
Communities were important because "they are close to problems" such as risky behaviour on the roads, or areas prone to accidents.
Assistant provincial governor Phiphat Prachankhet said that while the government can improve the quality of the roads, people must have an awareness of the need for road safety. This is key to preventing dangerous driving in the first place, he said.
