I think this is the key. Thai people just think completely differently to Western people about these matters. It doesn't even occur to them and they don't even think there is a problem. The idea of preventing something, being proactive, or even reactive is a pretty foreign concept in Thailand. They kind of just work/live to a different standard.
To us, it seems incredibly simple. Drive slower, follow the rules of the road, and so on. But Thais often see the world from a very fatalistic viewpoint. Then you can add the fact that Thais are encouraged not to think for themselves, never to question anything, never to criticise anything, never to bother with anything that doesn't affect them, it goes on. This perfect combination means that issues are rarely addressed.