Thread: The Annual New Year Road Carnage Poll

There's a reason why the word carnage has "car in it.

Yep guys and girls, it's that time of year again!

So, how many will it be this year? Here's a little read from today's BP to give you some guiding help in picking your wining numbers.

Prizes this year:

1. Dinner with the Goddess
2. Lunch with Pooly (he's not allowed out after sunset)
3. Lunch or dinner with Wally, depending on when he wakes up!

Petrol stations to open 24-hours at New Year


POST REPORTERS
The government will allow petrol stations nationwide to open around the clock during the New Year festivities. The measure will apply from Thursday, Dec 29 to Jan 5.

The decision by the Energy Ministry aims to help motorists and travellers enjoy the New Year celebrations. It is also designed to promote tourism and boost economic growth.

Energy Minister Viset Choopiban said yesterday that the ministry would continue to promote a campaign to save energy and boost alternative energy consumption, despite a forecast that crude oil prices would become stable and even lower next year.

Crude oil prices are expected to stay at around $45-50 (1,842.50 to 2,047 baht) per barrel next year while oil demand around the world would slightly increase by only 1.7% because of the global economic slowdown, said the minister.

At present, he said, oil reserves in the US, Europe and Japan had increased along with a hike in the production capacity of refineries and crude refining of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

The motorway from Bangkok to Chon Buri will be opened for free for drivers from 4pm next Thursday to midnight of Jan 4.

Director-general of the Highways Department Chaisawat Kittipornpaibool estimated that 30,000 more cars would use the motorway every day during that period, from an daily average of 80,000 at present.

The agency will lose 42 million baht by opening it for free but he said the loss would be worth it to prevent chaotic traffic during the long holiday.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra presided over the launch of a caravan for another campaign to promote awareness of road accidents, which usually lead to soaring death tolls during the New Year celebrations.

The government considered the period from next Thursday to Jan 4 to be the most dangerous days, with high road accident tolls imminent as people travel to their home towns for celebrations.

Where's the poll william?

oh ok.

I envisage 478 road deaths over the new year period.

^bold guess sir

BTW - for the avoidance of doubt, and in the interest of fairness, the term "New Year Period" shall mean: "Midnight Thursday, 29 December 2005 until Midnight Tuesday, 4 January 2006."

Would you like to reconsider CMN?

~W~

I think I'll stick with my original estimate.

I'm sure far more are likely to cark it, but lots go unreported, so 478 it is.

I reckon 100 a day is an excellent estimate CMn, I will have to guess something similar

OK my guess is 451