The government has warned tough legal action will be taken against public transport drivers who violate traffic laws. The death toll has reached almost 300 as more passengers return to Bangkok after the New Year holidays. Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd yesterday stressed severe penalties will be imposed against bothdriv- ers and transport operators, particularly vans and inter-provincial buses, if acci dents occur. Driving and operating licences will be suspended or revoked, he said. The warning came after several vans and buses were found to be travelling above the speed limit. Heavy traffic was reported on sev eral main roads including Mittraphap and Phahon Yothin roads yesterday "The prime minister also urges people who are returning to Bangkok to make travel plans to avoid traffic congestion and reduce the number of vehicles on main roads," Maj Gen Sansern said. A total of 3,046 vehicles were confiscated from drink drivers from Christmas Day to last Saturday. Of them, 2,477 were motor cycles and 569 were cars. Meanwhile, the death toll from road accidents has risen to 292 from more than 2,700 road accidents in the first five days of the "seven dangerous days" ofthe New Year holiday season.