Bangkok: Zebra crossings set to turn red - that'll limit accidents, says traffic expert

[webfact]

Picture: Naew Na

 

An ambitious plan to replace Bangkok's Zebra crossings with red ones will limit accidents, said a traffic expert. 

 

Prapas Leuangsirinpha, director of the Traffic and Transport Department, said drivers would be able to see them better.

 

He called them "cold plastic" color - actually red. 

 

There are 3,500 crossings in Bangkok and 660 are at intersections, reported Naew Na.

 

In the first phase of improvements utilizing 2022 budgets they will be putting in 522 crossings outside schools and other educational establishments, 13 at hospitals and 86 other places. 

 

A further 117 will be upgraded. 

 

This is all part of a campaign to raise safety called "Stop - Think- Act" in English with the proviso in Thai and a play on words of "Chuk Jai Mai Chuk Chern" (be aware not in ER).

 

ASEAN Now notes that whether drivers stop at the crossings or whether the police enforce the rules remains to be seen. 

 

Mostly in Bangkok as in the rest of Thailand stopping at zebra crossings is seen as rather odd and few pedestrians - except unwary tourists perhaps - would expect any cars to do so. 

 

-- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-07-17

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[colinneil]

14 minutes ago, webfact said:

ambitious plan to replace Bangkok's Zebra crossings with red ones will limit accidents, said a traffic expert. 

So painting the crossings red is going to reduce accidents, dont think so most drivers here just plough ahead whether there are people on the crossing or not.

Anything that helps reduce accidents is a good idea, but first drivers need training in how to drive, because very few can drive properly.

[RichardColeman]

I like this Italian idea better for Thai drivers ignorance of zebra crossings

 

[worgeordie]

It's just going to confuse drivers, which seems quite easy anyway,

will not see the blood when they mow you down.....????

 

regards Worgeordie

[redwood1]

How many many many times has Pattaya repainted and repainted and repainted the baht bus stops and crosswalks ?   These colors don't last long and they look Bad as the colors fade...

[NCC1701A]

makes it easier to clean up the blood.

 

edit: now i see Worgeordie said that first. 

 

do the whole country. how's that? 

[pattjock]

I thought zebra crossings were where motorbikes had to stop waiting for green light.

 

Spend the money on red light cameras and increase the fine for crossing the wide white line before a green light. At the moment it's a 500Baht fine running a red light, this is ridiculous. If you run a red light you could kill someone. If you smoke on the beach you could annoy some people could be fined 100,000 Baht!!!

 

Every time the light changes in a crossing there is about 5 seconds where traffic is going everywhere, even if there is a police box at the crossing. I'm sure the officer is keeping an eye on the situation and not just not sleeping in the air conditioned comfort.

[LoliLoso]

3 hours ago, colinneil said:

Anything that helps reduce accidents is a good idea, but first drivers need training in how to drive, because very few can drive properly.

Totally agreed with you, Colin.????

[johng]

They should try these.

NHK headend-NHK headend2021-07-0418-35.ts

 

[fangless]

I wonder who owns the paint company!

[Joinaman]

2 hours ago, pattjock said:

I thought zebra crossings were where motorbikes had to stop waiting for green light.

 

Spend the money on red light cameras and increase the fine for crossing the wide white line before a green light. At the moment it's a 500Baht fine running a red light, this is ridiculous. If you run a red light you could kill someone. If you smoke on the beach you could annoy some people could be fined 100,000 Baht!!!

 

Every time the light changes in a crossing there is about 5 seconds where traffic is going everywhere, even if there is a police box at the crossing. I'm sure the officer is keeping an eye on the situation and not just not sleeping in the air conditioned comfort.

does anyone pay these fines ?

maybe better if police stand and issue fines, rather than through post 

[overt2016]

6 hours ago, colinneil said:

So painting the crossings red is going to reduce accidents, dont think so most drivers here just plough ahead whether there are people on the crossing or not.

Anything that helps reduce accidents is a good idea, but first drivers need training in how to drive, because very few can drive properly.

On my daily walk I was about to step on the crossing when a mini van 

with POLICE clearly written on it forced me to change my mind.

[rebo]

Let me guess:

Khun Prapas‘ brother in law has - purely accidental - a „cold plastic“ color painting company …

[Thechook]

Paint them any bloody colour you like and it won't make an ounce of difference.  It's the drivers who don't give a damn for traffic laws or pedestrians.   The crossings just give an image of civilisation.

[kynikoi]

In Bangkok they cant even keep the delivery motos of the footpath on a busy corner directly adjacent a police box.

 

Zebra crossing biggest waste of money in the nation.

[kynikoi]

The real trouble is that its the small minded, petty mindset of the Thai driver. Here, its law of the jungle. The largest, most powerful, most luxury hiso and ballsy has right of way.

 

Westerners just not thinking clearly about it.

[Deli]

Slippery when wet come into my mind. At least blood color.

[Rodjrin]

Absolutely no point.  The crossings will be ignored as usual.  Is it beyond the mental capacity of this crew to place public information announcements between the mind numbing television soaps?  They would have a huge captive audience, and something may actually get through that brings enlightenment to most, who appear to be unable to see past the end of their collective noses.  Or place road signs saying ‘give way to pedestrians’ but, of course, the signs wouldn’t be seen because of restaurants and vendors occupying the sidewalk.  And just as an aside - try educating people to turn on their headlights in rain.

[Benmart]

If they use the cheap, red paint that Pattaya uses, the red will fade out within months. 

[OneMoreFarang]

How about installing cameras and making sure that they work. And then fine everybody who ignore the zebra crossings. 

That is win/win/win.

- Money for Thailand from the bad guys who ignore zebra crossings

- Some drivers and riders will learn and stop

- Pedestrians will be safer

But TiT. The problem is known for many many years and nothing drastic happens.

[swm59nj]

It’s not only being bad drivers.  It’s more of mentality.  Rudeness, selfishness, and just not caring about other people. 

[Nanaplaza666]

On 7/17/2021 at 11:36 AM, colinneil said:

So painting the crossings red is going to reduce accidents, dont think so most drivers here just plough ahead whether there are people on the crossing or not.

Anything that helps reduce accidents is a good idea, but first drivers need training in how to drive, because very few can drive properly.

Well said . And if painting these things red really work maybe they should paint whole roads red 5555 damn those fools . How do they come up with these idea's . This fool must have gotten a pot of money to paint these things and outsourced it to the cheapest painter and pocket the rest . Dersperate times ........... .

[hotchilli]

On 7/17/2021 at 11:21 AM, webfact said:

An ambitious plan to replace Bangkok's Zebra crossings with red ones will limit accidents, said a traffic expert.

Should help disguise the accidents being red... I can't see a colour change changing mentality when all vehicles think they have the right of way all the time.

[Cake Monster]

On 7/17/2021 at 11:36 AM, colinneil said:

So painting the crossings red is going to reduce accidents, dont think so most drivers here just plough ahead whether there are people on the crossing or not.

Anything that helps reduce accidents is a good idea, but first drivers need training in how to drive, because very few can drive properly.

They already have Red to prevent Accidents.

They are called Traffic Lights, and when they turn Red you required by law to stop.

I have seen very little of this fact on display in LOS.

Red usually means they speed up .

[digger70]

Bangkok: Zebra crossings set to turn red - that'll limit accidents, says traffic expert.

 

That ain't gonna make an iota difference What color they are , It's the Stupid Ignorant selfish inconsiderate drivers were  the  problem lies. 

[Peterphuket]

21 hours ago, pattjock said:

I thought zebra crossings were where motorbikes had to stop waiting for green light.

 

Spend the money on red light cameras and increase the fine for crossing the wide white line before a green light. At the moment it's a 500Baht fine running a red light, this is ridiculous. If you run a red light you could kill someone. If you smoke on the beach you could annoy some people could be fined 100,000 Baht!!!

 

Every time the light changes in a crossing there is about 5 seconds where traffic is going everywhere, even if there is a police box at the crossing. I'm sure the officer is keeping an eye on the situation and not just not sleeping in the air conditioned comfort.

'Spend the money on red light cameras and increase the fine'

Believe me, it won't help, yes OK, for normal drivers like you and me....recently I got a ticket for speeding 120km/hr, 90 allowed, 500 thb, I pay this but understand 60% of Thai don't pay there ticket.

[rupert the bear]

i used a red x ing several days ago ,drivers had a long distance to see me clearly barrelled at em lucky to cross safely even though 300 yds before a car when i stepped on x ing.several options here,place a cop on the x ings and bust every car loooking to wipe pedestrians,heavy fine.then put public education ads on tv in regards to this and the other idiotical habits the morons here employ,start heavy fines and taking away licences.the drivers test needs to state very clearly in several ways that other drivers and pedestrians need to respect each other.i gave the driver the finger,he was insulted slowed down but as i ran up to his car brick in hand he drove away.jesus these w...ers are morons at almost every level of society. we can see it with covid and the me me society around us,they got the govt they deserve its a reflection of their values and sitting there with myopic smiles going mai pen rai instead of doing something about sums it up.

[harrry]

19 hours ago, overt2016 said:

On my daily walk I was about to step on the crossing when a mini van 

with POLICE clearly written on it forced me to change my mind.

Pedestrian Crossing right of way only starts after you have stepped onto the crossing.......after that it is anyone's guess but at least you can die happy knowing you obeyed the law.

[Dont confuse me]

Half the drivers don't acknowledge red traffic lights! What makes you think they will be any different at red zebra crossings? 

Another waste of vaccine money

[kennw]

On 7/17/2021 at 11:36 AM, colinneil said:

So painting the crossings red is going to reduce accidents, dont think so most drivers here just plough ahead whether there are people on the crossing or not.

Anything that helps reduce accidents is a good idea, but first drivers need training in how to drive, because very few can drive properly.

Motor bikes dont even stop at red lights, what hope do they have with a pedestrian crossing color