Thailand resolves to reduce road accidents, a national road safety event was told

[Sumarianson]

1. Proper strict driving tests and driving instruction as in Europe. 

2. Guidance by advertising on how to use the lanes on multi lane carriageways, zebra crossings, and box junctions. Enforce lane driving law ( left hand lane driving lane all others overtaking only) and increase the speed limit in line with Europe.

3. Offenders sent for re- test at their own expense.

4. Motorcyclists banned completely from driving up the wrong side of the road and on footpaths with severe penalties and enforcement. Helmets? Up to anyone over 20 to decide but compulsory for youths.

5. Introduce more roundabouts/ under/ overpasses instead of dangerous right hand lane U turns which slow down traffic dangerously.

6. Proper signposting on roads.

 

Rediculous speed limit. It is bad driving and ill maintained vechicles that cause accidents and not speed as has been proved on the Autoban's of Germany.

 

Edited August 10, 2019 by Sumarianson

[Filipplenoir]

8 hours ago, Prairieboy said:

This seems to be a weekly (or more frequent) announcement.  All the plans, rules, laws, etc. are useless without adequate enforcement. 

Perhaps the government should make attendance at a driving school mandatory from age 12 with emphasis on defensive driving.  Perhaps there should be a certified driver education centre in every major centre in every province!  Perhaps parents should learn to say NO! so little Somchai does not ride, or have access to a motorcycle until he (she) has passed the mandatory course and is properly equipped!  Perhaps making the children walk to and from school would alleviate many of the traffic woes with the added benefit of reducing obesity!

No pavement. Heat. Kids won't make it 

[Cake Monster]

Not a Snow Flakes chance in Hell of reducing the Accidents or the Death Toll as long as the Licenses are so easily obtained and the law is non existent.

[Almer]

9 hours ago, transam said:

So this was the 14th meeting and it seems the previous 13 achieved nothing.

One day they will wake up to realise that their BiB boots on the ground ain't out there..Where are they, why aren't the commanding officers handing out their daily duties. The road block mentality does not work, get out on the streets..

55 yesterday in KK a small police presence at a road junction to nab a few motorbikes, but the 3 i was following did a quick Uturn past a strategically placed officer on the other side if the road laughing there heads of, Citizens 3 Bib 0 and so it goes on and on and on.

[Fred white]

33 minutes ago, Filipplenoir said:

No pavement. Heat. Kids won't make it 

Govt paid school buses for the kids instead of these farmers having to take their kids to school or letting them ride motorcycles

[Fred white]

12 minutes ago, Almer said:

55 yesterday in KK a small police presence at a road junction to nab a few motorbikes, but the 3 i was following did a quick Uturn past a strategically placed officer on the other side if the road laughing there heads of, Citizens 3 Bib 0 and so it goes on and on and on.

All the check points I've been through all they did was make sure I had a seatbelt on and my tax sticker was up to date I have never been asked for a license, course that might change tomorrow ????

[Bangkok Barry]

1 - I have never detected any sign of common sense in a Thai, and I've been living here for over 25 years. I am not sure how you teach that, but anyway there is no movement to do so.

2 - The Thais have a Me First mentality that is deeply ingrained, and that is the last thing you want to see in a driver.

3 - The education system demands that you do not think for yourself but listen and obey, so Thais do not develop the necessary skills to actually think. That may result in my first point above.

4 - Learning to drive in a proper and responsible manner is quite difficult, and Thais do not do difficult. Thais do 'near enough', but on the roads that isn't 'good enough'. One mistake can cost lives, so being lucky enough to get it right most of the time isn't good enough either.

5 - They have absolutely no concept that the vehicle they are attempting to operate is a potential killer. No concept at all.

6 - Along with inadequate teaching of all things about how to drive properly and safely, there is no test to determine if you have reached a standard where you are not a danger to yourself and others before you take to the road.

7 - Thais do not seem able to join the dots, and realise that if, for example, they drive at 120 kms an hour five metres behind the vehicle in front, or drive at night with no rear light (or front light if they are driving on the wrong side of the road because they have no concept of the danger), then they would have no time to react if the vehicle in front brakes suddenly. Ask any Thai what their safe braking distance is and they would have no idea.

8 - There are zero police patrols to help prevent accidents by pulling aside selfish and stupid drivers. Their only presence is setting up road blocks which seems in my experience to have only one purpose - to check your tax disc is in the window and up to date.

9 - Police have absolutely no interest in enforcing the law even when they are static beside the road, watching kids three or four on a bike go by with no helmet, no license, no ability to properly control the bike they are on. And that goes also for the parents and schools who allow Thailand's future to play Russian Roulette every time they go out. The police know they get paid anyway, so why work?

10 - None of this will change as 1 - it would mean taking everyone off the road until they were able to take a real driving test and 2 - the people that would be responsible for initiating the change are not interested as they are given police escorts wherever they go. It needs a VVIP or member of the royal family to be killed for anything to happen, and even then the task would be too hard (and Thais don't do hard).

 To finish, nothing can or will change and survival on Thai roads will continue to be a lottery. All we can do is remember the words that were used in the 70s police drama Hill Street Blues as the force were sent out on patrol - 'Let's be careful out there'.

 

By the way, I noticed there was no mention in the article about how they will achieve their aim of reducing casualties. None at all.

Edited August 10, 2019 by Bangkok Barry

[HLover]

10 hours ago, transam said:

So this was the 14th meeting and it seems the previous 13 achieved nothing.

Actually free coffee and snacks are technically an accomplishment.

[SmartyMarty]

every year the same hollow promises, plans and unachievable targets........and still little education and enforcement. Same Same.

[james.d]

Its all BS, no improvements will ever be made here. Pathetic.

 

[Fred white]

2 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

1 - I have never detected any sign of common sense in a Thai, and I've been living here for over 25 years. I am not sure how you teach that, but anyway there is no movement to do so.

2 - The Thais have a Me First mentality that is deeply ingrained, and that is the last thing you want to see in a driver.

3 - The education system demands that you do not think for yourself but listen and obey, so Thais do not develop the necessary skills to actually think. That may result in my first point above.

4 - Learning to drive in a proper and responsible manner is quite difficult, and Thais do not do difficult. Thais do 'near enough', but on the roads that isn't 'good enough'. One mistake can cost lives, so being lucky enough to get it right most of the time isn't good enough either.

5 - They have absolutely no concept that the vehicle they are attempting to operate is a potential killer. No concept at all.

6 - Along with inadequate teaching of all things about how to drive properly and safely, there is no test to determine if you have reached a standard where you are not a danger to yourself and others before you take to the road.

7 - Thais do not seem able to join the dots, and realise that if, for example, they drive at 120 kms an hour five metres behind the vehicle in front, or drive at night with no rear light (or front light if they are driving on the wrong side of the road because they have no concept of the danger), then they would have no time to react if the vehicle in front brakes suddenly. Ask any Thai what their safe braking distance is and they would have no idea.

8 - There are zero police patrols to help prevent accidents by pulling aside selfish and stupid drivers. Their only presence is setting up road blocks which seems in my experience to have only one purpose - to check your tax disc is in the window and up to date.

9 - Police have absolutely no interest in enforcing the law even when they are static beside the road, watching kids three or four on a bike go by with no helmet, no license, no ability to properly control the bike they are on. And that goes also for the parents and schools who allow Thailand's future to play Russian Roulette every time they go out. The police know they get paid anyway, so why work?

10 - None of this will change as 1 - it would mean taking everyone off the road until they were able to take a real driving test and 2 - the people that would be responsible for initiating the change are not interested as they are given police escorts wherever they go. It needs a VVIP or member of the royal family to be killed for anything to happen, and even then the task would be too hard (and Thais don't do hard).

 To finish, nothing can or will change and survival on Thai roads will continue to be a lottery. All we can do is remember the words that were used in the 70s police drama Hill Street Blues as the force were sent out on patrol - 'Let's be careful out there'.

 

By the way, I noticed there was no mention in the article about how they will achieve their aim of reducing casualties. None at all.

Vvips and the royal family are choferd ( wrong spelling) with police escorts so it would be a snowballs chance in Thailand for one to be critically injured

[tgw]

anyway, all those crack downs always result in strongly inconveniencing the drivers who cause few accidents, while bad drivers won't be impacted much.

it's always the same thing happening.

[dinsdale]

The above is absolute rubbish. The only way to reduce road accidents is for the govt. to hand these out free to all road users.....

 

[Pauhi]

Interupt TV soap operas every 30 minutts with traffic bulletins including topics such as ,overtaking,stopping time,line changing,helmet use etc.Involve Buddist theory about the sacredness og life, the consept of moderation and avoidance of excess,to be applied also in traffic.The massive motorway banners promoting the latest Samsung prone, should instendig be used to remind drivers about helmet use, consequences of line changing,speeding etc.Some og the worst driving is seen on the toll roads, video surveillance and prosecution og obvious traffic violations should be technologically cheap and easy.As I understand  Thai authorities have shown resolve and effectiveness in dealing with problems in the past (eg.the war on drugs) I really hope its time now to do  something decisive about the terrible traffic situation in Thailand.

[Pauhi]

Interupt TV soap operas every 30 minutts with traffic bulletins including topics such as ,overtaking,stopping time,line changing,helmet use etc.Involve Buddist theory about the sacredness og life, the consept of moderation and avoidance of excess,to be applied also in traffic.The massive motorway banners promoting the latest Samsung prone, should instendig be used to remind drivers about helmet use, consequences of line changing,speeding etc.Some og the worst driving is seen on the toll roads, video surveillance and prosecution og obvious traffic violations should be technologically cheap and easy.As I understand  Thai authorities have shown resolve and effectiveness in dealing with problems in the past (eg.the war on drugs) I really hope its time now to do  something decisive about the terrible traffic situation in Thailand.

[BobbyL]

I love the fact that there has actually been 13 previous events on this issue ????.

 

So, rather than focusing on the enforcement of some rules and trying to actually lower the death toll year on year, they just decide that they're going to try and drop it by 50%. 

 

I would love to know what they have planned to try and even drop it by 5 - 10%, let alone 50%.

 

I don't think the phrase, 'The blind leading the blind' has ever been truly more apt than it is here nowadays. 

[jerojero]

1 Horse. Dead by beating. 2 Need traffic law enforcement. Repeat. 3 Promises. No action by politicans. 4. More traffic deaths. Repeat.

[Airbagwill]

Fairly clear that the authoritites are unfamiliar with the true content of WHO reports or the basics of road safety. Undoubtedly there were people there who do understand the situation but so long as those with power remain ignorant, i see little change of effective change.

It doesn't matter how well or badly people drive, so long as Thailand continues to build deadly roads refuses to set up effective first responders and emergency services, has police uneducated in road safety, and fails to effectively evaluate each and every accident there can be no change.

Edited August 10, 2019 by Airbagwill

[Paul Henry]

They cannot even  achieve the reduction targets they set for 3-4 day holiday periods, They obviously have never been told that an OBJECTIVE needs to be 1.Time bound 2. Measurable 3.Specific. And above all 4. ACHIEVABLE.

[Almer]

On 8/10/2019 at 8:17 AM, Prairieboy said:

This seems to be a weekly (or more frequent) announcement.  All the plans, rules, laws, etc. are useless without adequate enforcement. 

Perhaps the government should make attendance at a driving school mandatory from age 12 with emphasis on defensive driving.  Perhaps there should be a certified driver education centre in every major centre in every province!  Perhaps parents should learn to say NO! so little Somchai does not ride, or have access to a motorcycle until he (she) has passed the mandatory course and is properly equipped!  Perhaps making the children walk to and from school would alleviate many of the traffic woes with the added benefit of reducing obesity!

My experience is worrying.

 A friend of my wife just bit the bullet and went on for her driving test course, after several days practical she proudly showed of her licence.

Day 1 in slow moving  traffic making a left turn mounted a high curb, 2 weeks and 27000baht later, wheel sill under body damage and front bumper its of to pick it up, the garage staff moved it onto the road for her and i was called to put it through her gates and onto her drive, she has now asked if i will sit with her a few times for more practice.

i liken the experience to a first time learner even to the extent of left foot on the brake all the time(auto)  and checking interior mirror constantly for how she looks.

So the deal is, yes i will take her out and teach her afresh the farange  way, to include more comfortable shorts that dont need constant attention because they cut in all the time.

Worrying because this is with an earnt and not paid for licence.

[Airbagwill]

19 hours ago, Almer said:

i will take her out and teach her afresh the farange  way

And that is the false premise in almost every post about road safety on this and every other thread.

[metisdead]

A post containing an offensive image has been removed.

[Airbagwill]

On 8/10/2019 at 8:17 AM, neeray said:

Thinking in western logic (yeah, yeah, I know), to reduce road carnage in Thailand, it would be a simple task if anybody actually gave a toss (anybody high up).

I think they give a toss... unfortunately due to corruption graft and nepotism, Thailand is full of people who are still mostly not intellectually equipped to do the jobs they have been given.  Like the general public they are too self un-informed and therefore ignorant to see the whole picture.

It is NOT a simple task, nor after 3 decades of misdirection, is it going to be cheap.  However, balanced against the trillions lost to injuries and deaths, property damage lost incomes etc. etc., It is still not to late to start from scratch ....and for Thailand that is a must 

Edited August 12, 2019 by Airbagwill

[Airbagwill]

Individual personal experiences are purely anecdotal evidence...this can be found worldwide and does not even begin to address the road safety issues in Thailand.

What is does show is racially based superiority complex and arogance of those who post such nonsense.

[Assurancetourix]

2 hours ago, Airbagwill said:

this can be found worldwide and does not even begin to address the road safety issues in Thailand.

 

Maybe, are you right, ......

But then explain to me why in a country of 68 million inhabitants (Thailand) there are almost ten times more deaths on the roads than in Britain which counts the same number of inhabitants

[Assurancetourix]

On 8/10/2019 at 8:23 AM, FarFlungFalang said:

 as they put into making money

If they really want to make money ...why not doing as they do in France ?

 

A new radar model is being rolled out in France. These are turret radars (MESTA FUSION 2). Their number is expected to rise to 400 by the end of the year and to 1,200 by the end of 2020. They are currently approved for speed checks and red light compliance. However, they have the possibility to identify the lack of wearing of the belt, the non-respect of the safety distances, the overtaking on the right or the use of a mobile phone. This radar is able to simultaneously control 32 vehicles on 8 lanes. Another peculiarity of the new radars is the installation of empty structures. Radars should be installed in 1 out of 4 turrets; the other 3 will serve as a decoy. Radars can be moved from one turret to another, and so motorists will not know for sure if the radar is operational.

 

 

[Airbagwill]

1 hour ago, Assurancetourix said:

 

Maybe, are you right, ......

But then explain to me why in a country of 68 million inhabitants (Thailand) there are almost ten times more deaths on the roads than in Britain which counts the same number of inhabitants

I have several time before - and you ae basing your premise on 1 single statistic - e.g ignoring mileage travelled, cars per mile (Thailand ranks 102nd), cars owned, injury categories (serious/minor) you are also ignoring the fact that nearly 80% of DEATHS are motorcycles and VRU (vulnerable road users). number of collisions is vey important as it doesn't correlate with number of deaths per 100k e.g. in UK v. Thailand.

If you drive a 4-wheeled private vehicle in Thailand you treat about the same risk as USA average.

 

Edited August 12, 2019 by Airbagwill

[Airbagwill]

50 minutes ago, Assurancetourix said:

If they really want to make money ...why not doing as they do in France ?

 

A new radar model is being rolled out in France. These are turret radars (MESTA FUSION 2). Their number is expected to rise to 400 by the end of the year and to 1,200 by the end of 2020. They are currently approved for speed checks and red light compliance. However, they have the possibility to identify the lack of wearing of the belt, the non-respect of the safety distances, the overtaking on the right or the use of a mobile phone. This radar is able to simultaneously control 32 vehicles on 8 lanes. Another peculiarity of the new radars is the installation of empty structures. Radars should be installed in 1 out of 4 turrets; the other 3 will serve as a decoy. Radars can be moved from one turret to another, and so motorists will not know for sure if the radar is operational.

 

 

the scene in France is only part of a national campaign that has lasted for decades. Back in the 1970s Frances deaths per 100 k was the same as Thailand's today - they have like the rest of theEU made dramatic improvements - not by just claiming drivers by by adopting "The safe systems approach to road safety" - if you don't understand this, you don't understand road safety.

 

PS - you might also bear in mind that without trained police, calibrated systems and well marked, signed and defined roads it is almost impossible to enforce any kind of techno monitoring as they can't properly see what they are meant to monitor

Edited August 12, 2019 by Airbagwill

[Assurancetourix]

3 minutes ago, Airbagwill said:

Back in the 1970s Frances deaths per 100 k was the same as Thailand's today

47 y ago ... why not compare the roads accidents between France and Thailand in the 17*century ?

The max deaths on roads in France arrived in 1972 with 16, 545 dead; and since this date , (47 years ago) ....

we are very far from the people who die in Thailand  since they went from the buffalo cart to the automobile

it decreases constantly until reaching 3,400 deaths in 2015 and now it is even less with a population comparable to Thailand ...

 

You can try to get me all the numbers and stats you want, Thailand has never done anything to reduce the number of road deaths since they have motor vehicles.

 

https://infogram.com/evolution-du-nombre-de-morts-sur-les-routes-entre-1960-et-2015-1gx3pw4kx0xvmgr

[Brer]

14 minutes ago, Assurancetourix said:

If they really want to make money ...why not doing as they do in France ?

 

A new radar model is being rolled out in France. These are turret radars (MESTA FUSION 2). Their number is expected to rise to 400 by the end of the year and to 1,200 by the end of 2020. They are currently approved for speed checks and red light compliance. However, they have the possibility to identify the lack of wearing of the belt, the non-respect of the safety distances, the overtaking on the right or the use of a mobile phone. This radar is able to simultaneously control 32 vehicles on 8 lanes. Another peculiarity of the new radars is the installation of empty structures. Radars should be installed in 1 out of 4 turrets; the other 3 will serve as a decoy. Radars can be moved from one turret to another, and so motorists will not know for sure if the radar is operational.

 

 

Total waste of time in Thailand as Thais just don’t pay traffic infringements.

Unless they can come up with punishment that really does hurt the  individual also their immediate family nothing will change.

If you drive in Thailand without acquiring a driving licence you can be fined 2000baht, if you drive in Thailand with an expired licence it’s a 1000baht, really no hurt in those fines.

Police need to start impounding cars and motorbikes and start crushing them. 

Passing a driving test an absolute joke, a seven day course.

Day 1 - 3hours, first hour pass colour test, reaction and distance test then being taught how to read tyre size and date of manufacture, where to put water, coolant, oil, check battery, test fan belt, check tyre pressure. Second hour shown steering wheel, brake, accelerator, indicators, wipers, gear change and a tentative bit of driving around a practise course (in house) with throttle limited to 10kms and only using brake to stop and brake release to go forward in a automatic vehicle doing right and left turns, negotiating a few gentle bends and stop and give way signs. Third hour practise the Highway Code on computer 50 questions have to get 45 correct multiple choice though.

Day 2 - 2 hours, same as second and third hours of day one although a bit of reversing and parking thrown in with negotiating a roundabout.

Day 3 - 2 hours, first hour out on the highway and some country roads speed not over 60kms, second hour practise another 50 questions on computer and try to achieve 45 correct.

Day 4 - 2 hours same as day 3 slightly different country roads

Day 5 - 2 hours, first hour practise (car still limited to 10kms) what instructor thinks you need to improve on practise course - reverse parking etc, then 30 minutes in town traffic on non market day as to many cars on market day, then however long it takes to complete 50 questions on Highway Code again on computer.

Day 6 - 2 hours, first hour practise (car still limited to 10kms) alone on practise course again parking, reversing, negotiating small roundabout, stopping at stop signs etc, second hour on computer again

Day 7 - 4 hours, first hour drive around practise course still limited to 10kms being observed doing all things you have been taught, then about 2 hours watching videos of accidents and having road signs explained, finally the last hour doing a computer test with 50 questions on the Highway Code the pupil must obtain 45 from 50 correct. 

Thats it’s finished now head straight down the land office to get your licence and now you can belt along in your 15 year old lowered Triton Ute with straight through exhaust at 140kms on the Highway or drive your Mazda 2 at 60kms in the fast lane whilst listening to Palmy on your IPod with your mobile phone glued to your ear. All this in one week.

I love Thailand.