The Department of Rural Roads has announced measures to cut electricity use on low-risk roads across Thailand to help reduce the government’s energy costs.
Starting from May 1, lighting will be dimmed or switched off during certain periods in areas with low traffic or minimal risk, such as outside community zones or during off-peak hours.
Safety remains the top priority, the department said. At high-risk locations — intersections, sharp curves, bottlenecks, community areas and heavy-traffic sections — street lighting will continue at normal levels.
Motorists are also urged to drive with extra caution, keep headlights bright enough for visibility and strictly follow traffic laws to protect all road users, the department said in a statement on Saturday.
Agencies under the department have been instructed to survey, analyse and assess the suitability of areas before making any changes to lighting, and to monitor and evaluate results on a continuous basis, said director-general Phichit Hunsiri.
If it is found that risk levels in any area have increased, street lighting may be restored immediately to normal operation, he said.
The department invites the public to join in conserving energy by supporting the measures.
