Thai road carnage: A motorcyclist is killed every 30 minutes in Thailand

[webfact]

Thai road carnage: A motorcyclist is killed every 30 minutes in Thailand

 

Picture: Voice TV

 

Thailand media Voice TV made comparisons with the driving of motorcycles,  their specifications, and road rules in the kingdom with what happens abroad.

 

And it made dire reading. 

 

The experts were in agreement:

 

Thailand needs to buck up its ideas or tens of thousands of needless deaths are going to continue to occur each and every year. 

 

Voice TV started by asking a salient question:Did you know that a person dies on a motorcycle in Thailand every half an hour?

 

And that in 2019 there were 17,000 deaths on two wheels making up 80% of all road death.

 

Several experts from road safety organisations were quoted for where they see the main problems.

 

Dr Chamaiphan Santikan said if the government were serious about doing something about death on the roads they had to focus on motorcycles. 

 

Road surfaces, skills, vehicle specs and laws were key.

 

She pointed to the fact that a large proportion of 15-20 year olds were driving high powered machines. She called for bans on licences for Big Bikes for anyone not over 21. 

 

Bringing in a system where younger riders were limited in the power of their machines - Graduated Driver Licensing - until they proved in tests that they could handle bigger machines could lower accidents by 25%.  Such systems were used abroad. 

 

Comparing death per 100,000 motorcycles on the road was also a damning stat for Thailand.

 

In the kingdom it was 81 deaths per 100,000.

 

In Europe it is just ELEVEN.

 

Also the specs on Thai motorcycles are terrible for promoting safety on the roads, say the experts.

 

Spped and fuel economy is promoted ahead of safety features.

 

They pointed to poor lights on 110cc models.

 

Speed warning lights come on on 110 and 125cc bikes in the UK at 90 kmph, the top speed allowed.

 

In places like Mexico, Malaysia and Japan the speed limit is higher but red warnings come on at just 80 kmph.

 

In Thailand 100cc's belt along at 140-160 kmph with no warning at all. 

 

Baskets on the front of Thai bikes often obscure headlights when loaded. This causes a staggering 1000 deaths a year, the experts claimed.

 

In Japan the problem is solved by fitting lights on the baskets themselves. 

 

Thai bikes have thinner tires that reduce stability but make them go faster - another detrimental factor. 

 

They also have less weight than foreign bikes of a similar capacity that reduces fuel consumption but, again, raises speeds.

 

Heavier vehicles have more stability but are not favored by Thais who want to zig-zag everywhere.

 

Thaivisa notes that the article contained some interesting points but was almost entirely lacking in one area often cited by foreign riders as a major reason why the death toll is so high in Thailand.

 

Poor or non-existent law enforcement by an indifferent and lazy police force.

 

Many feel that if the police enforced helmet laws, cracked down on poor driving continually and concentrated their efforts on young people going to and from schools often with several people on one motorcycle, the death toll could be cut dramatically and quickly.

 

As with all analysis of this issue the question is of political will too.

 

And that seems to be sorely lacking as thousands continue to die on the roads. 

 

If nothing is done a MILLION Thais will die on the roads over the next 40 years and tens of millions will be injured.

 

Despite acceptance by politicians that the death toll has a devastating impact not just on personal lives but GDP, the politicians in Thailand still offer only lip service to the issue.

 

While the people themselves continue to die and break the law with impunity hiding behind a "face of freedom". 

 

Source: Voice TV

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-02-04

 

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[Orton Rd]

Baskets and tires are just excuses, it's the riders and drivers of cars who are to blame, not the vechiles

[KannikaP]

2 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

Baskets and tires are just excuses, it's the riders and drivers of cars who are to blame, not the vechiles

And the alcohol/YaBa consumed by many of the deceased riders.

 

The statistics after every holiday usually say that 80% of those killed were motorcyclists, mainly men between 40 & 60, on straight roads between 4pm & 8pm.

Edited February 4, 2021 by KannikaP

[Surelynot]

3 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

Baskets and tires are just excuses, it's the riders and drivers of cars who are to blame, not the vechiles

Very true.....I can understand Thais, out of economic necessity, having to ride bikes, but why would anyone else put their life on the line, unnecessarily, to ride a bike in Thailand?

Edited February 4, 2021 by Surelynot

[ezzra]

Thailand is a nation on two wheels, when i came first 30 years ago they were many riders as motorcycles are affordable way to move around, and in the last few years with the proliferation of business offering services on 2 wheels such the messengers and the bike taxis you see now everywhere it stand to reason the increase in road fatalities...

[polpott]

Not to worry, there seems to be an endless supply of young Thais with an aversion to helmets and a delusion that they are Valentino Rossi riding unroadworthy junk with skinny bald tyres and no brakes. The carnage will continue.

[bigupandchill]

From where I live to where I drive at night is a fast 4 lane road with many bikes with no rear lights. What is it about these riders that they want to endanger themselves and me for the cost of a rear bulb?

[poohy]

He must be getting sick and tired of it by now!????

[RotBenz8888]

No common sense and no law enforcement. A terrible  combo. 

[RichardColeman]

24 minutes ago, webfact said:

 

If nothing is done a MILLION Thais will die on the roads over the next 40 years and tens of millions will be injured.

Population control of the unwashed masses by the people in power it seems to me

[polpott]

11 minutes ago, bigupandchill said:

From where I live to where I drive at night is a fast 4 lane road with many bikes with no rear lights. What is it about these riders that they want to endanger themselves and me for the cost of a rear bulb?

I once pointed out to a Thai that his rear light was out. His reply, "No problem, I don't use it".

 

I also admonished a Thai for flying down a notoriously dangerous road at night with no lights on. His reply, "It uses less fuel".

 

You really can't teach stupid.

 

 

Edited February 4, 2021 by polpott

[actonion]

How can the police crackdown on poor driving /riding,  they do  the same as  95% of the nation with their driving habits....

[trainman34014]

Nothing on the list about fitting Brains to a lot of the Riders.    It's not just a case of no helmets and going too fast; it's red light jumping, doing U turns where there are no U turns allowed, constantly cuting off right hand corners and bends, cutting up 4 wheel (and even more wheel) vehicles, riding in the blind spots of other drivers, being generally rude and discourtious to other Drivers, Riders and Pedestrians, who believe it or not think that Pavements are meant for walking and not riding on !    Could go on but it's pissing in the wind.

[ThailandRyan]

As I posted in another thread it is truly amazing how many bike riders never turn their heads, or look into a side view mirror before cutting directly in front of you.  Complete disregard for others as well as their own safety.  They must truly believe the amulets and tattoos protect them.  Running red lights, riding the wrong way, making a turn from a side street without looking as they enter the other roadway directly in front of moving traffic, It is truly a <deleted> shoot.  I try to leave a space in between myself and other vehicles but that space cushion gets negated by bikes cutting in front or trying to pass through as they cross traffic which is moving.  Then you have the riders who run the gauntlet and ride up the sides, enter into the zebra crossing and before the light turns green race off to get ahead of others.....I could go on and on and on, but why bother.  RIP to those that do not make it home and leave family behind.  

[JAFO]

Another one of these annual Rinse and Repeat updates ( Like burning and water management) followed by no action as its an unfavorable stat that occasional makes headlines and someone needs to comment to it so it can go away until next year ????

 

 

[Surelynot]

2 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

As I posted in another thread it is truly amazing how many bike riders never turn their heads, or look into a side view mirror before cutting directly in front of you.  Complete disregard for others as well as their own safety.  They must truly believe the amulets and tattoos protect them.  Running red lights, riding the wrong way, making a turn from a side street without looking as they enter the other roadway directly in front of moving traffic, It is truly a <deleted> shoot.  I try to leave a space in between myself and other vehicles but that space cushion gets negated by bikes cutting in front or trying to pass through as they cross traffic which is moving.  Then you have the riders who run the gauntlet and ride up the sides, enter into the zebra crossing and before the light turns green race off to get ahead of others.....I could go on and on and on, but why bother.  RIP to those that do not make it home and leave family behind.  

Rightly or wrongly I am now pushing up close behind the car in front to stop them diving between both cars in order to switch lanes.

[JAFO]

3 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

They must truly believe the amulets and tattoos protect them

Actually Ryan, its just lack of critical thinking. Thai folks ( in general) from what I have seen in all my years here are not very capable of multi tasking. Hence they seldom look around, drive the wrong way, speed on a scooter designed to go 25km near 90km in flip flops and no helmet. It is what it is.  

[soi3eddie]

21 minutes ago, actonion said:

How can the police crackdown on poor driving /riding,  they do  the same as  95% of the nation with their driving habits....

 

I was waiting an intersection in Saphan Kwai a few weeks ago. The lights there stay on red for ages at the traffic gets green from each other direction. At least 30+ motorcycles at the head of traffic. A police bike with 2 cops stopped next to me. On break in the light change cycle, a biker in front saw his chance and jumped the red light before cross traffic started. Amazingly, the cops just commented and shook their heads. I though for sure they would chase the rider down but no, nothing! If that type of riding is allowed and not prosecuted then there's no hope.

 

[JCCR6]

Just more waffling on about big bikes, baskets and speed limits. How about proper driver education for all drivers and riders? 

 

Most accidents are not 'big bikes', they're mostly small bikes. Quite often with another vehicle involved.

 

[KannikaP]

52 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Population control of the unwashed masses by the people in power it seems to me

Wrong. The people in power drive Mercs & Beemers. It is population control by the unwashed masses themselves.

[mancub]

Motorcycles seem to be ridden under the premise that everyone can and will simply avoid them, as when pulling out into traffic regardless, which doesn't always work nowadays given the volume of fast moving vehicles...too often driven by others with no road sense.

[LennyW]

A big problem i can see in most drivers here - they firmly believe they are the only one on the road, they exist in their own little bubble, cutting corners, pulling out without looking, going across to the right when exiting a side road, double parking, stopping at a foodstall without indication or warning, blocking access...the list goes on and on, just zero consideration of what is going on around them!

[Dmaxdan]

I've long thought that what is needed is shock tactics aimed purely at the teenage kids. (Most of the adults are  far to arrogant for anything to work)

They should go around the schools and show graphic, uncensored videos and photos of the aftermath of road accidents.

The point being to really make the kids to sit up and take notice.

Then, they should make sure the kids fully understand that if they screw around on motorbikes then it will be their body parts that will be scattered all over the road.

No one is exempt from being involved in traffic accidents, no matter how good a driver you think you are.

The time for the softly softly approach has long gone. 

[Mike Rodik]

bad air kills even more, but nothing is done to that problem either

[skorp13]

They are just clueless and can't even be taught. i am still recovering from my accident and may never make a full recovery. I guess i was lucky it took 17 years to happen.

[fxe1200]

36 minutes ago, trainman34014 said:

Nothing on the list about fitting Brains to a lot of the Riders.    It's not just a case of no helmets and going too fast; it's red light jumping, doing U turns where there are no U turns allowed, constantly cuting off right hand corners and bends, cutting up 4 wheel (and even more wheel) vehicles, riding in the blind spots of other drivers, being generally rude and discourtious to other Drivers, Riders and Pedestrians, who believe it or not think that Pavements are meant for walking and not riding on !    Could go on but it's pissing in the wind.

Don't blame it only on motorcycle riders. They just don't have a crumple zone. Every day you see car drivers changing lanes or overtaking without using the mirrors and the direction indicators, playing, calling on their phones, - perfectly behind tinted windows -, taking big truck style swings before turning and so on. They probably are responsible for a lot of riders deaths in Thailand. It truly is a pain in the butt to see all that, not to mention the helmetless idiots, who only use their mirrors to squeeze out their pimples or trace their lipstick.

 

The whole scene on Thailand's roads is disgusting and dangerous, as almost nobody cares about rules and regulations or display common sense. The safest way to survive on a motorcycle is to keep the traffic behind it. Then it cannot become dangerous. Whatever shows up in front has to be dealt with extreme caution and oversight.

 

[huangnon]

Amazing lack of concern for their own safety on the roads by a large percentage of motorcyclists.

 

They will all wear masks, but no helmets, mirrors, or working lights at nighttime. ????

[scammed]

the vast majority of accidents is due to a driver not understanding the right of way.

[bert bloggs]

Lets face it ,if the average bike rider here had gunpowder for brains,they couldnt blow their hat off,yesterday saw a 3 wheeler go over ,the fat woman sitting in the sidecar seemed to be hurt ,all the bike rider could do was shout at a car driver ,that to be honest had nothing to do with the accident,but the rider wanted to blame someone for his own mistake

[Suua]

1 hour ago, bigupandchill said:

From where I live to where I drive at night is a fast 4 lane road with many bikes with no rear lights. What is it about these riders that they want to endanger themselves and me for the cost of a rear bulb?

This is an eye opener to the level of education here......

Most of the motorbikes without rear lights are deliberate. 

They remove the bulb so that 'ghosts don't follow them'....Seriously.

Says an awful lot about the mindset here.