Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News published the latest fatalities on the Thai roads, some of the most dangerous in the world.

 

And it was continuing grim reading.

 

They cautioned that their figures were just those that died at the scene of accidents. When those who die on the way to and later at hospitals are added the carnage is much worse.

 

Since January 1st the figure is 743.

 

In the same period last year it was 685 - and increase of 58 in 19 days. 

 

Around 14,000 at the scene deaths have been recorded in recent years. But the real total is thought to be 25,000 - 80% of them motorcyclists. 

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Lack of helmet wearing and drunk driving are cited as two major causes. 

 

Lack of proper police enforcement, poor driver and rider training and political lip service to the issue are cited as contributing factors. 

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News list the figures every day. Yesterday they reported on the death of a Myanmar woman who was crushed after riding in the back of a pick-up carrying cement,  a story ASEAN NOW carried already.

 

The media, in their daily sound bite, warned that not slowing down for bends is particularly dangerous.

 

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Way too many fatalities for 66 million people, and wait when they legalize the growing of marijuana and drivers will partake in using it now that it is legal...

34 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Way too many fatalities for 66 million people, and wait when they legalize the growing of marijuana and drivers will partake in using it now that it is legal...

Think the opposite.  May be more accidents, but minor fender benders, as I used to drive really slow when stoned vs when not, or only drunk.

 

Yes, I drove drunk, days past, as we all didn't mature and be responsible at age 16.  Save your silly comments.

Police enforcement ? i want to know how the  Police can enforce any road traffic violation  when they dont know  the rules of the Highway code themselves

My Thai brother inlaw  is a Policeman  while spending time with him and a  couple of his collegues, i questioned them,  in a light hearted way,  on questions   in the Highway code, not even one  of them could answer any questions  put to them,  but they thought long and hard   before admitting they didnt know the answers 

44 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Way too many fatalities for 66 million people, and wait when they legalize the growing of marijuana and drivers will partake in using it now that it is legal...

Vastly preferable to the drink-driving related death tolls here, imo.

10 minutes ago, actonion said:

Police enforcement ? i want to know how the  Police can enforce any road traffic violation  when they dont know  the rules of the Highway code themselves

My Thai brother inlaw  is a Policeman  while spending time with him and a  couple of his collegues, i questioned them,  in a light hearted way,  on questions   in the Highway code, not even one  of them could answer any questions  put to them,  but they thought long and hard   before admitting they didnt know the answers 

Was there not a survey done on Thai traffic police recently that exposed 70% of them could not answer basic questions on the Thai Highway Code?

6 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Was there not a survey done on Thai traffic police recently that exposed 70% of them could not answer basic questions on the Thai Highway Code?

Interesting ....I did'nt see that 

if I may, in my view ……

 

”Poor driver and rider training is the major cause.

 

Lack of helmet wearing, drunk driving, lack of proper police enforcement and political lip service to the issue are contributing factors
 

I do feel that the standard of driving has deteriorated recently. Out where i live in Nonthaburi the drivers seems to be speeding much more and driving much more recklessly and aggresively. I really have seen a marked difference. They drive without any fear or any saftey in mind. I have seen 3 crashes in the last couple of weeks all in the exact same spot (sharp u-turn bridge). I have seen crashes in my local makro and a pedestrian getting hit by a car, many scooters being attended to in the aftermath of accidents... it really seems to be spiralling.

1 hour ago, huangnon said:

Vastly preferable to the drink-driving related death tolls here, imo.

How's that? what? those who drink and drive will not use grass or the other way around? i fail to see  your point...

21 minutes ago, greenmonkey said:

I do feel that the standard of driving has deteriorated recently. Out where i live in Nonthaburi the drivers seems to be speeding much more and driving much more recklessly and aggresively. I really have seen a marked difference. They drive without any fear or any saftey in mind. I have seen 3 crashes in the last couple of weeks all in the exact same spot (sharp u-turn bridge). I have seen crashes in my local makro and a pedestrian getting hit by a car, many scooters being attended to in the aftermath of accidents... it really seems to be spiralling.

Must be a side-effect of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine. Long Covid?

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

How's that? what? those who drink and drive will not use grass or the other way around? i fail to see  your point...

Drunk about to crash their car:

 

Stoner about to crash their car:

 

Apparently it's OK to wipe yourself and others out if you're wide awake and non-violent, but distracted due to uncontrollable laughter, bingeing on snacks, staring at that cool sunset or having a "really fantastic idea".

 

 

 

imagine the carnage when - or if - they legalise weed ! They cannot handle alcohol, let alone weed.

2 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

imagine the carnage when - or if - they legalise weed ! They cannot handle alcohol, let alone weed.

Can't wait to be honest... loved the days of getting stoned and cruising out in the car.

It happens elsewhere too. Yesterday in Balikpapan, Indonesia. Brake failure. 21 dead. 36 injured.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Am54Lgzeps&ab_channel=SyahrulAnwar

3 minutes ago, rocksniffer said:

I happens elsewhere. Yesterday in Balikpapan, Indonesia. Brake failure. 21 dead. 36 injured.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Am54Lgzeps&ab_channel=SyahrulAnwar

Darn......

Low standard of all education not just driving education. Coupled with the thinking that they can never do anything wrong and the "I am Number 1" attitude. It is always someone else's fault.The government could sort things out but it is too late now.

It does not help when the thinking is that they will go to a better life when death happens.

The main problem in Chiang Mai is Food Panda and Grab drivers, they are checking the map on mobile not looking at the road, only one outcome, bang!

Off topic posts and replies about Covid deaths have been removed. 

Why are so many of you bickering and arguing instead of addressing the issue ? How old are you, five ? 

Another article about something we have all known a long time . As a cyclist I avoid major roads if possible . 

4 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Think the opposite.  May be more accidents, but minor fender benders, as I used to drive really slow when stoned vs when not, or only drunk.

 

Yes, I drove drunk, days past, as we all didn't mature and be responsible at age 16.  Save your silly comments.

Here's a silly comment.  At 16  - under age drinking, under age driving and the two combined?

It would appear most Thai drivers are self taught. Untill there is mandatory training at a higher level, and not like it is at present. They don't even go on the road with an examiner to see if there even fit to be on the road. Road sense is oblivious to so many, so the carnage will go on and on. There's too much me, me, me on the road, too much phones, and too much lack of concentration.

Only yesterday, I had decided I would count the number of motorcycles with Riders and passengers without helmets.

 

It was the quietest time of the day and I was out for two hours on my bicycle

 

I counted 206 that included 3's on a bike, babes in arms. Not to mention, other observed offences and of course unobserved offences as in some having no licence and so it goes on - and on!

 

Multiply this by a whole day, a month on just one road 0f 20kms, then multiply again by all the towns and cities in Thailand and one arrives at a number so large that one's "gasted" couldn't be more flabbered.

 

I find it distressing to know some of these people will have left home alive but won't return!

This is the first time I've ever seen the media talking bout how and who gators the information, There are former stat available that give a much clearer picture but the media don't seem to know they exist.

Remember it is most dangerous if you are a vulnerable road user, in particular motorcycles which comprise around 75% of all fatalities.

In a car or pickup , you are slightly LESS vulnerable than in the USA

It's the same year in and out about deaths involved in driving

all the reasons why are known makes no difference 

Police enforcement needed on driving laws  does not happen

Will be discussing same subject next year 

 

2 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

Only yesterday, I had decided I would count the number of motorcycles with Riders and passengers without helmets.

 

It was the quietest time of the day and I was out for two hours on my bicycle

 

I counted 206 that included 3's on a bike, babes in arms. Not to mention, other observed offences and of course unobserved offences as in some having no licence and so it goes on - and on!

 

Multiply this by a whole day, a month on just one road 0f 20kms, then multiply again by all the towns and cities in Thailand and one arrives at a number so large that one's "gasted" couldn't be more flabbered.

 

I find it distressing to know some of these people will have left home alive but won't return!

Personal anecdote is not data - that's not how you do it. You need to count (at least on a clicker) ALL the traffic - it then it needs to be  counted over a long period. You then need to define "quietest time of day" - e.g. period of times of day/night - then classify all the traffic and define how many people were on motorbikes. Then how many of those were wearing not wearing helmets and who are passengers etc.

5 hours ago, ezzra said:

Way too many fatalities for 66 million people, and wait when they legalize the growing of marijuana and drivers will partake in using it now that it is legal...

Alcohol, corruption and the lack of mobile traffic patrols are main factors contributing  to roadway deaths.  Legalization of marijuana and roadway deaths attributed to it remains to be researched. Saying it will is hardly measurable.

21 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

Here's a silly comment.  At 16  - under age drinking, under age driving and the two combined?

Not underage driving in PA, USA ... did you read this part:

"Save your silly comments"

 

Legal drinking age back then was actually 21, now it's 18.  I was getting drunk and driving at 15, if need to know.  Common where I grew at ????  after working a 12 hour shift ... and yea, that was illegal also.  But, want to play, got to pay, means you got to work.

11 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

Only yesterday, I had decided I would count the number of motorcycles with Riders and passengers without helmets.

Easier where I am to count the number 'with' helmets ... ????

3 minutes ago, Thunglom said:

Personal anecdote is not data - that's not how you do it. You need to count (at least on a clicker) ALL the traffic - it then it needs to be  counted over a long period. You then need to define "quietest time of day" - e.g. period of times of day/night - then classify all the traffic and define how many people were on motorbikes. Then how many of those were wearing not wearing helmets and who are passengers etc.

It is NOT an anecdote. These are accurate figures, either I saw them as stated or I am guessing/fabricating them. This is a general forum, I am not creating statistics for the Transport Dept. or for any official use. And it WAS the quietest time of day. I know the road well! If it helps you, while I didn't count those who WERE helmeted I guessed it was about 50%. My exercise had to take account of riding my bike at the same time and nothing to do with other vehicles - only the helmet issue which was easy to do! Sorry, maybe there were 209 or 203.