Roundabout (Traffic Island) Screwup.

[JohnHans]

I have lived in Thailand for more than 30 years and I know that complaining is usually pointless!

But the craziness regarding roundabouts is really getting to me, would it not be easy for the authorities to educate the Thais on how the negotiate roundabouts?

Some signage and road markings would be a good start.

“GIVE WAY TO TRAFFIC ON YOUR RIGHT” sign & “GIVE WAY” road marking on the approach.

I do understand the Police and the city council don’t have a clue regarding most rules of the road but there is no excuse, they should do their jobs.

If anyone who knows anyone who works for the traffic department in the local council, please pass this on to them.

Also tell them that the railway road needs sorting befor more people get killed!

I know this is a longshot but no harm in trying.

[Briggsy]

Your suggestions are very positive. However, they won't work. It has been shown over decades that roundabouts are beyond the capability of Thais. That is why there are very few of them.

 

Therefore I suggest you drive ultra-defensively when dealing with roundabouts. Assume the other drivers have no clue of the rules. And, in fact, they don't! ????

[JohnHans]

2 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

Your suggestions are very positive. However, they won't work. It has been shown over decades that roundabouts are beyond the capability of Thais. That is why there are very few of them.

 

Therefore I suggest you drive ultra-defensively when dealing with roundabouts. Assume the other drivers have no clue of the rules. And, in fact, they don't! ????

They dont know because no one told them. No road markings, no signage, no enforcement.

[PatOngo]

7 minutes ago, JohnHans said:

“GIVE WAY TO TRAFFIC ON YOUR RIGHT” ???

I always thought you gave way to "the more influential person!"

[Briggsy]

9 minutes ago, JohnHans said:

They dont know because no one told them. No road markings, no signage, no enforcement.

I was like you a long time ago. I couldn't believe they could fail to learn simple things and fail to do things properly. So, I understand your optimism and fervour.

 

After decades here, I now understand it is beyond this society to learn how to use roundabouts. Perhaps one day, you too will arrive at the place I am at.

 

I hope you don't think my post condescending. It is not intended to be. It is just a description of a journey to enlightenment. 

[ezzra]

Someone once told me You know you have in Thailand for too long when all of a sudden you start to understand how Thai people think and behave... truth to be told, as someone who drove cars in many countries around the world, Thailand drivers are not the worst by far and i have learned that a little patience and tolerance goes a long way toward safe motoring in this country...

[canuckamuck]

It is always stressful to approach a roundabout because you never know what the other drivers will choose to do. Motorcycles will almost always give way to a bigger vehicle, even if they have the right of way. Which is annoying because you stop for them anyway and then have to go ahead, not knowing if they have changed their mind by this time.

4 wheeled vehicles seem to roll a dice and they may or may not give way. So you have to ride the brakes and get ready to stop.

I always think I am just going to follow the rules and go through with confidence. But almost every time, I have to chicken out to a certain degree.

[MeePeeMai]

Anyone who thinks that Thai drivers are bad needs to take a road trip from Denpasar Bali to somewhere in Jawa via Gilimanuk (Indonesia).  Better yet, do a trans Jawa excursion on a motorbike and you will come to realize that Thai roads are far safer and better engineered than the same in Indonesia and the driver's are much better here too (believe it, or not).

[NE1]

Land traffic act 1979.

[JohnHans]

4 hours ago, MeePeeMai said:

Anyone who thinks that Thai drivers are bad needs to take a road trip from Denpasar Bali to somewhere in Jawa via Gilimanuk (Indonesia).  Better yet, do a trans Jawa excursion on a motorbike and you will come to realize that Thai roads are far safer and better engineered than the same in Indonesia and the driver's are much better here too (believe it, or not).

I dont agree, I was in Bali last month, roads are better and drivers know how to drive acording to the law. 

[giddyup]

6 hours ago, JohnHans said:

They dont know because no one told them. No road markings, no signage, no enforcement.

If they can't get the hang of red lights, what chance roundabouts?

[DavisH]

On 7/15/2019 at 1:08 PM, NE1 said:

Land traffic act 1979.

That's the correct rule and the same in most other places in the world. However, most Thais do not recognize this as a roundabout and treat it like an intersection. They have the "give way to the left" rule for intersections (give way to the right in Australia). Hence, they shoot onto the roundabout and do not give way to traffic on their right (traffic already on the roundabout). There should be give way signs put up at roundabouts to remind them who gives way. Are there not any questions on the written test about roundabouts? It seems like there is not. I would say only 5 percent of drivers actually give way to cars already on the roundabout. I usually ease up when coming to a roundabout - I'm waiting for the day I get rear ended.

[DavisH]

23 hours ago, giddyup said:

If they can't get the hang of red lights, what chance roundabouts?

I asked my wife about "give way" signs here and why many Thais ignore them. She said they don't know what there are for LOL.  Doesn't surprise me as millions here don't even have a licence to begin with. 

[NE1]

The roundabout near us replaced a T Junction.

So everybody still treats it as such.

Those who had the right of way then , think the law still applies.

I remember when it first went up , people were turning right before they got onto the roundabout , so you had two way traffic at one time.