How can Thailand curb its appalling road fatality rate?

[Big Boy]

I know whoever it was, was talking about test driving a Pajero Sport - I thought it was you. Sorry, my mistake.

[Dannie Boy]

I know whoever it was, was talking about test driving a Pajero Sport - I thought it was you. Sorry, my mistake.

Well it could have been me then, because I bought one in 2015 and while it rode the bumps fairly well, I just don’t remember being told to go faster, but then getting old does have its challenges


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[PeteC]

Not me either. I've had two but I always did test drives alone. Left the wife at the dealership as collateral.

[Nereus]

....don’t remember being told to go faster, but then getting old does have its challenges Image

It's the small pedal next to the ̶b̶r̶e̶a̶k̶ brake push thing, best to use your right foot. (and if it is a Pajero Sport, don't push it too hard, he works very well!)

[Dannie Boy]

....don’t remember being told to go faster, but then getting old does have its challenges Image

It's the small pedal next to the ̶b̶r̶e̶a̶k̶ brake push thing, best to use your right foot. (and if it is a Pajero Sport, don't push it too hard, he works very well!)

I didn’t realise there were so many helpful caring members on the Forum - it must come with age!!


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[Big Boy]

I know whoever it was, was talking about test driving a Pajero Sport - I thought it was you. Sorry, my mistake.

Well it could have been me then, because I bought one in 2015 and while it rode the bumps fairly well, I just don’t remember being told to go faster, but then getting old does have its challenges


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Whoever it was, made a big thing about driving over the bumps faster so that they wouldn't be noticed.

[STEVE G]

Yes, riding a motorised suitcase on Thai roads is illegal

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-as ... is-illegal

BANGKOK – Riding a motorised suitcase on a public road is against the law, Thailand’s Traffic Police Division said on Aug 23, responding to a viral video clip that sparked criticism on social media earlier this week.

The clip, posted on the Facebook page of user Social Hunter 2022, shows a woman riding on a suitcase on Bangkok’s busy Vibhavadi Rangsit Road near Don Mueang International Airport.

She was seen casually playing with her mobile phone while swiftly moving on the road. She did not wear a helmet.

[buksida]

You could replace "lax law enforcement" with "waste of space policing" in that headline. If they simply did some work and patrolled the highways and accident blackspots, nabbing and fining those driving like lunatics, the accident count would come down.

Advocates blame lax law enforcement for high volume of road fatalities
Road accident prevention advocates have called for stiffer enforcement of road safety laws as traffic accidents still exact a gruesome toll, with 48 fatalities registered per day on average now, according to a forum.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and its coalition advocated for improved road safety during an event at the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre (BACC) on Saturday marking this year's World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

Surachai Liengboonlertchai, chairman of parliament's road safety subcommittee, said the day gives people around the world the chance to pay respect to those who have lost their lives to traffic accidents.

In Thailand, Public Health Ministry figures show that last year 17,498 people perished in road accidents, or 48 deaths each day on average.

About 1,000 people are injured and become disabled as a result of such accidents in the country each year. The figures hammer home the urgent need to curb road accidents and educate motorists on traffic safety, say advocates.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... fatalities

These 'advocates' kinda miss the point; making new laws or beefing up old ones is pointless unless there is any enforcement or deterrent. They need a new traffic police force essentially, one that works towards making the roads safer, not filling its pockets.

[PeteC]

You also have to figure in that 85% + - were motorbike accidents/fatalities. They always seem to hide that fact except at Songkran and New Year holiday reporting.

[hhinner]

You also have to figure in that 85% + - were motorbike accidents/fatalities. They always seem to hide that fact except at Songkran and New Year holiday reporting.

Yes. 83% so far this year out of 12,130 deaths as of a minute ago. https://www.thairsc.com/

[STEVE G]

^Also, outside of cities and off the main highway system, Thai roads aren't really policed at all.
I've stayed in my partners Issan village and the local kids are roaming around local parties in the area at the weekend in any drunken state on unregistered motorbikes, some of which look like they've been pulled off a scrap heap.

[Gregjam]

After many years in Thailand I have come to accept the almost zero enforcement of traffic laws, a case of expect nothing and if you get something it should be a pleasant surprise.
What those years have also taught me is that while foreigners who are used to enforcement decry the situation the average Somchai is happy for the status quo to continue. When family and friends are affected by the carnage you do not hear cries of 'why was this allowed to happen', just tears of sorrow for a lost/injured one or hopes that the insurance (if there is even any in place) will pay out.
It must be said that many foreigners who own or rent cars/scooters etc here enjoy the freedom of the unlikelyhood of being caught speeding, riding without a helmet/licence/insurance etc etc. Even then when caught a few baht in the right direction sorts things out. How many foreigners drive/ride drunk and would have had their licences cancelled years ago but for a donation to the cause. It is not only the Thai's who behave like idiots.
Any change would have to be driven by the Thai person on the street and public opinion which even then has a few hurdles to cross.
Meanwhile as a cyclist, motorcyclist and car driver I try to be very careful and not get into conflict with other road users.

[PeteC]

You also have to figure in that 85% + - were motorbike accidents/fatalities. They always seem to hide that fact except at Songkran and New Year holiday reporting.

Yes. 83% so far this year out of 12,130 deaths as of a minute ago. https://www.thairsc.com/

So if we look at the other 17% and assume most of those were passenger vehicles with some large cargo trucks, buses, bicycles and pedestrians mixed in, Thailand's worldwide statistics may be a lot better than other countries, including some 1st world locations.

[STEVE G]

^Many years ago we were visiting one of those temples that sell lucky charm amulets.
They had a large display board showing pictures of road accidents that had been miraculously survived by people wearing these amulets.
I earned a dig in the ribs for pointing out that amongst all these pictures of smashed up Mercedes and Volvos etc., there were no Honda Waves!

[buksida]

Calls grow to limit double-decker buses after crash
A Senate subcommittee on infrastructure and vehicles is calling for measures to prevent road accidents caused by double-decker buses.

Surachai Liangboonlertchai, the subcommittee chairman, said on Friday that related sectors were invited to discuss the results from a preliminary investigation on the double-decker bus accident that killed 19 people and injured 30 others in Prachin Buri on Wednesday.

He said the double-decker bus design was the leading cause of the accident, according to the investigation.

Mr Surachai said experts agreed that such buses are unsuitable for interprovincial travel, especially on steep roads.

Their height exceeds the four-metre safety standard, risking an unbalanced centre of gravity. As such, the Department of Land Transport stopped issuing new registrations for double-decker buses in 2016.

However, at least 7,000 double-decker buses registered before 2016 are still allowed on the road today, he said, noting that these buses have caused several tragic accidents, including the bus fire during a school trip on Oct 1 last year that killed 20 students and three teachers.

Mr Surachai demanded that the state improve its road safety measures regarding vehicle control and road conditions.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... fter-crash

You couldn't make this up ... blaming the design of the bus rather than the idiots behind the wheel that can't keep them on the road. They'll start blaming the sun next for setting every day and making it more dangerous at night.