Go fast not slow!: Thailand's speed limit set to be raised from 90 to 120 kmph

[webfact]

Go fast not slow!: Thailand's speed limit set to be raised from 90 to 120 kmph 

 

Source: Manager Online

 

The speed limit for cars on many of Thailand's roads is set to be raised from 90 to 120 kilometers per hour.

 

And motorists are soon going to face prosecution for going too slow. 

 

Transport minister Saksayam Chidchob - whose family own a racetrack - is pressing ahead with the controversial plans.

 

This comes despite the carnage on the nation's roads that has seen the country named as one of the most dangerous places to drive in the world with fatalities well in excess of 20,000 annually. 

 

The new measures are expected to be introduced in about a month's time, reported Manager. 

 

They will apply to roads deemed suitable enough that have four lanes and up and have central reservations or central barriers. 

 

The speed limit in the right hand lane will be 120 kmph. In addition the proposal is that traffic in the right hand lane must travel at speeds of at least 80 kmph. 

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

The law is being adjusted to allow for prosecution for those who do not go fast enough on the right. 

 

Saksayam's plan will see two sets of traffic rules promulgated in 1979 and 1993 simplified. This will mean a blanket 120 speed limit can be imposed throughout the country on highways deemed suitable. 

 

The minister was at pains to point out that restrictions on speed would still be in place in areas deemed not safe for the upper limit. 

 

Manager showed limits of just 30 kmph near schools and 50 in residential areas. 

 

The much criticized regulation requiring that 10 wheel trucks can only enter Bangkok between midnight and 4 am is also set to be reviewed. 

 

This will likely see a 12 hour period allowed after complaints were received by the government from hauliers, especially those involved in many of the infrastructure projects and construction building in the capital. 

 

Source: Manager Online

 

 

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[J Town]

Like anyone pays attention anyway.

[nong38]

Get out those go faster stickers and its foot to the floor time, nothing changes then.

Today I was making a right turn at a crossroads, a police pickup overtook me on the right and then went straight on, not surprising here is it see it every day and raising the speed limit for sensible drivers is a good idea but then begs the question what percentage of drivers here are sensible and fit to be on the road.

[Dmaxdan]

I'm not even sure if most Thais know which of the dials on their dashboard is the speedometer.

[VocalNeal]

This is a non-event. 

[keith101]

Police cant even enforce the laws already in place so what hope have these changes got except a much higher death toll .

[ezzra]

And just in time for the holiday period... perfect timing, as if Thailand needs faster going vehicles and motorcycles, like not enough people dying of speeding...

[jackdd]

34 minutes ago, webfact said:

The law is being adjusted to allow for prosecution for those who do not go fast enough on the right. 

There is already a law which says you have to drive in the left lane unless you are overtaking or turning. It's just not enforced.

 

Now people who drive 60km/h will not be allowed to overtake somebody who is driving 30km/h on the left lane if they can't drive faster than 80km/h?

[MarcelV]

Speed limits of 30 or 50 kph in school resp. residential areas? As if drivers are gonna slow down all the way from 120 to a snail's pace. 

[leeneeds]

time to buy a Bugatti 

[bangkokfrog]

A minimum of 80 kph to be legal in the fast (120 kph) lane! A recipe for carnage as Thai drivers are not known for sharing the road and respectfully pulling over to the left to allow faster vehicles to overtake.

[ICELANDMAN]

Smart plan for speed way more death and free roads because many deaths, brilliant mind reduced pollution also.

[unamazedloso]

finally!!! Its so dangerous to putt along. Drives me insane and its just down right selfish. If you cant drive at speed get off the dam road!!

[Isaanbiker]

Just now, unamazedloso said:

finally!!! Its so dangerous to putt along. Drives me insane and its just down right selfish. If you cant drive at speed get off the dam road!!

Thais are pretty bad in building dams. The Dutch should make the new law then...

[spidermike007]

This would be a good thing. Nobody respects the speed limit, because it is way too slow. Who goes 90kph on a four lane divided road? Or 80-90 on an elevated toll road. That is inane, and nothing more than a mafia style revenue machine. 110-120 is a more realistic speed, denies the hounds their revenue from speeding tickets, and allows us to drive at a realistic speed, without the fear of incessant speeding tickets in the mail, which I refuse to pay anyway. 

[300sd]

This is a great idea. I can't wait to see these crackpots driving at 120 upwards and leaving one meter between their vehicle and the one in front. Never mind the crashes.

 

Obviously the transport minister has never driven in this country or like usual has no common sense.

[DrTuner]

120 on Thai roads means additional income for the dentists. Like driving on rice fields.

[RotMahKid]

50 minutes ago, ezzra said:

And just in time for the holiday period... perfect timing,

The new measures are expected to be introduced in about a month's time, reported Manager. 

[worgeordie]

Falling asleep at 120 Km ,they will be able to do a lot more damage. 

regards Worgeordie

[CGW]

About time they did something along what they are proposing! slow drivers are a bigger problem than fast drivers in some areas as they create bedlam with backed up traffic & drivers who lack basic driving skills in the first place, who then have to "undertake" to get past.

[Captain_Bob]

Most of the "ME FIRST" Thai males just drive as fast as possible anyway, with precisely zero f* cks given for danger to other motorists. Personally never see the point of going faster than around 60-70kph - what's the fri ggin hurry with these people treating every road like a highway? Slow the hell down, jai yen yen, etc. 

[Matzzon]

What? I thought they had no speed limits. Most drivers I see use the pedal to the metal tactic. Especially to have time to cross before the red light is there.

[MeePeeMai]

They already were doing 120 consistently.  Now they will be doing 150. 

[Enoon]

 

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

 110-120 is a more realistic speed, denies the hounds their revenue from speeding tickets,

 

+ The standard "exceed by" percentage (min 25%) =  looking forward to speeds of at least 150kph.

 

There will be no reduction in the number of people breaking the speed limits.

 

There will be no reduction in the number of tickets issued.

 

There will be an increase in really spectacular accidents.

 

No-one will accept responsibility for the increase.

 

 

 

 

 

[sammieuk1]

Its about time the upper floors of condos were at the same risk as bungalow dwellers from out of control pickups????

[canuckamuck]

So now the difference between the fast drivers and the slow drivers will be greater. Exactly the opposite of what is needed. Which is to start cracking down on the doddlers.

[Chazar]

This IS  good  news , many of the roads with a 90kmh speed  are ridiculously  slow BUT  this  does  need  policing and enforcement.................oh well

[Chazar]

2 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

I'm not even sure if most Thais know which of the dials on their dashboard is the speedometer.

or what and where a dashboard is

[Chazar]

1 hour ago, worgeordie said:

Falling asleep at 120 Km ,they will be able to do a lot more damage. 

regards Worgeordie

I  find driving  slowly way  more  boring and liable to make me  drowsy,blatting it keeps  me more  alert

[Don Mega]

There is a 90km/h limit ?