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Study reveals shocking extent of dangerous driving in Thailand


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Study reveals shocking extent of dangerous driving

By The Nation

 

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Cargo trucks and public transport buses in Thailand were found to have been speeding beyond the legal limit on more than 17 million occasions last year, according to a GPS-based study by a Bangkok-based university.

 

The Safety Analysis  study, by King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang’s Smart City Research Centre (SCRC), found that 250,000 trucks and buses had exceeded a legal speed limit 17,218,811 times. It also found that cargo trucks travelled at an average speed of 101.58 kilometres per hour. 

 

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The researchers nalysed the 2017 data from the Highway Accident Information Management System (HAIMS), identifying the seven most dangerous spots for crashes and fatalities.

 

They were: 

 

1. Highway No. 1 between the 708th-726th kilometre markers; 

2. Highway No. 2 between the 20th-36th kilometre markers;

3. Highway No. 4 between the 126th-130th kilometre markers;

4. Highway No. 9 between the 30th-38th kilometre markers;

5. Highway No. 32 between the 132nd-137th kilometre markers;

6. Highway No. 41 between the 366th-379th kilometre markers;

7. Highway No. 304 between the 165th-176th kilometre markers and between the 190th-250th markers (cutting through the national forest).

 

The SCRC joined with the Department of Land Transport to develop a “Smart Mobility” system using global positioning system (GPS) technology to collect data, study drivers’ behaviours, positions and travel directions, and detect vehicle speed.

 

The findings were revealed on Sunday after several serious road accidents involving buses.

 

They include the March 21 double-decker coach crash in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Wang Nam Khieo district that killed 18 passengers and wounded 30 others, and the March 30 incident in which a double-decker bus loaded with Myanmar workers crashed and burned in Tak, killing 20 workers.

 

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The former case involved a meth-taking driver who was speeding beyond the 60km/hour legal limit while driving on winding downhill road.

 

In the latter case, Dr Thanapong Jinawong, chief of the Road Safety Policy Foundation, raised questions over the bus’s condition, speed and the likelihood of it being overloaded as possible contributing factors.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30342258

 
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-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-02
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38 minutes ago, jonclark said:

" a meth-taking driver who was speeding beyond the 60km/hour legal limit while driving on winding downhill road."

 

Maybe this could be marketed by TAT for all the adrenaline junkies around the world as a new tourist activity for the young, stupid and adventurous. 

 

 

 

 

It would appear that some do it on motorbikes already.

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54 minutes ago, Just1Voice said:

Thai are not going to change their driving habits on their own, so the only solution is to install tamper proof speed limiters on all forms of public transportation, i.e. trucks & busses.  Inhibitors that will totally disable the vehicle's engine if anyone tries to disable it, along with a 50,000 baht fine and at least one year in jail for anyone attempting to disable one.  Plus, anyone caught using drugs while operating these vehicles face a mandatory 5 years in prison and 50,000 baht fine.  If the children won't behave on their own, then they have to be forced to.

If youre  not  looking where youre  going any speed can end up fatal, the biggest problem is the operator not the speed, Thais have a 1  second  attention span unless its  gawking down at their phones.

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The only surprising thing about statistics on the subject is why there isn't even more people killed and injured .Every time you get on a bus ,a mini bus or a taxi you are taking one hell of a risk .To me the big buses are the safest ,because they are big .Recent journeys in a mini bus and a taxi were mind blowingly scary .In fact I have decided never to use a mini bus again .There would have to be a major offensive ,backed by very hefty fines to start changing the mindset in Thailand .

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sadly thais just think it is ''a day in a life'' ,and not one single person will think twice about travelling home to see the folks..my prediction is 433 ..given all the pie charts and finger pointing...

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50 minutes ago, CGW said:

The majority of people here are incapable of driving at any speed, not convinced restricting top speed is the answer, though doubtless in some cases it would help. They should also introduce a minimum speed, many here like to hog the outside lane doing very low speeds!

Lets be honest though, what should and should not happen here is just not going to happen until they get a functioning "Police force"!

Oops, I forgot about low speeds. 

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OK, so they know the 7 most speeding highways, but what will they do about it? Nothing is the short answer. Other countries might try flooding these areas with speed cameras and highway patrol cars, but what will thailand do?

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1 minute ago, DoctorG said:

OK, so they know the 7 most speeding highways, but what will they do about it? Nothing is the short answer. Other countries might try flooding these areas with speed cameras and highway patrol cars, but what will thailand do?

The very enterprising police farce will flood the areas with money-making speed-catching officers.

 

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5 minutes ago, DoctorG said:

OK, so they know the 7 most speeding highways, but what will they do about it? Nothing is the short answer. Other countries might try flooding these areas with speed cameras and highway patrol cars, but what will thailand do?

put a toll box at each end with a ticket reading machine that shows the speed taken by the driver between the two points. For every 5mph or kph over a limit per distance you get a 1,000 baht fine, That would stop them !

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Here in Australia a lot of companies that have heavy vehicles involved in the work place eg. Bus companies,truck and mining companies have compulsory alcohol and drug tests before you start work . If you fail you are not allowed to start work and then brought in for councelling. Surely they could test the drivers in Thailand the same way. Might cost a bit extra for your trip , but at least your some chance of getting to your destination.

 

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