Drivers are being warned to remove clutter from their cars after an investigation revealed a grisly department store accident was caused by an errant water bottle.
Land transport director-general Teerapong Rodprasert yesterday urged people not to put objects on their car floors, particularly near brake and accelerator pedals.
"Things like water bottles or shoes should not be placed on the driver's side of the car floor, since they can jam the brake or accelerator pedal. A number of drivers have lost their lives from being careless," he said.
The warning came after police published findings on an accident in which a car plunged off the third floor of The Mall Bang Kapi's parking lot on Nov 25.
The Honda Civic was driven by 35-year-old Supaporn Wiangnak, a Phillip Securities (Thailand) Pcl employee. She died at the scene and one other person was injured.
Pol Gen Jaramporn Suramanee, forensic science adviser to the Royal Thai Police, said vehicle experts found a water bottle jammed under the car's brake pedal and on the accelerator.
The driver is believed to have driven from the parking area at around 20 km/h. Investigators suggested she unintentionally put her foot on the accelerator, because the bottle was lodged under the brake pedal.
The car then jolted forward, rammed other vehicles and smashed through the car park barriers, before crashing to the ground.