Prawit demands action on zebra crossing and traffic law enforcement in Thailand following death of doctor

[kennw]

5 hours ago, 473geo said:

First cars parking near the crossings would have to be stopped, crossing lights would really need to be installed to give a signal to motorists people are waiting to cross, not easy to see many poorly painted road marked crossings. 

Also yes stopping for a pedestrian at the moment when the driver behind cannot see the road markings is a definate invitation to be rear ended.

Upping the fines alone is not enough!!

When there is no enforcement it does not matter what the fine or penalty is. The laws are already there enforce them!

[xylophone]

2 hours ago, tandor said:

..RIP to this woman and all others who have been struck on pedestrian crossings; however it would help a great deal if all crossings were -

a)  Maintained regularly, ie road paint,

b)  Flashing signals,

c)  Signage and road markings so as approaching vehicles are alerted,

d)  Keeping the approach and departure sides of the crossing clear of any parked vehicles,

e)  Crossing attendants where applicable.

Good points Tandor, and I would add to that; "education", because no Thai I have ever spoken to here actually realises what these pedestrian crossing marks are for, nor have I seen them in the car or motorbike tests I have taken.

 

There is no education, or at least no meaningful education, as to the rules of the road here, sensible driving, when to/not to overtake and many more which would take pages to explain.

 

Thai society and drivers are setting themselves up to fail and become potential killers.
 

[Snig27]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Such violations have been recommended by a committee to be increased to 4,000 baht and are expected to be announced in March and implimented in July. 

How many more will die by then. Complete clowns.

[RobU]

5 hours ago, big dendrobenaes said:

it is a PEDESTRIAN CROSSING.....nothing to do with a pavement.......

Big dendrobias I think you are being silly. Geoffggi effectively said that IN SOME COUNTRIES pedestrian crossings are referred to as pavement crossings (or crosswalks in the USA). You (and I)  perhaps know them as pedestrian crossings but people from other countries would not recognise the term 'pedestrian crossing' and its function.

 

6 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

In most civilised countries a zebra crossing is referred to as a pavement crossing the road, and the police are quick to fine anyone who does not stop or allow pedestrians to cross.

n crossing'

[KhaoYai]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The incident has sparked much comment in Thai society not just about policemen, doctors and big bikes.

Nothing to do with big bikes!  This is about a total disrespect for the law. That disrespect is created by a corrupt law enforcement system that allows fines to be pocketed rather than be used as a deterrent.  You would however, think that drivers, also being pedestrians themselves, would not need the law to tell them to abide by the rules on crossings.

 

Many members will be aware of the crossing where Sukhimvit Road meets Soi 3 & 4 in Bangkok.  A few years back a foreign couple were killed on that crossing by a driver going through the lights at red. That occured right in front of a Police box and to the best of my knowledge, traffic still comes down Soi 3 and turns left on to Sukhumvit against those lights every day!  This, whilst pedestrians are being shown a green man and regardless of whether the police box is occupied or not.

 

I was hit (only slightly) by a taxi on that crossing a few years back - the taxi driver tried to tell me that he was OK to turn left because a sign told him he could. In the esuing argument, the police seemed more likely to arrest me than the taxi driver! Apart from the fact that that rule does not allow drivers to cross subsequent red lights, very few Thai's seem to understand the rule.  You can turn left at many lights when your lights are at red but only if its safe to do so and priority remains with traffic from your right.

 

The whole culture - that of the police and the public, is to ignore the law and common sense. Fines are used as an income supplement and prosecutions rarely happen.  This is not Thai bashing - people die because of these issues every day.

[Snig27]

52 minutes ago, recom273 said:

I’m confused why the RTP haven’t contended on yet. It’s got to be worth at least 50,000B an hour. 

Same. It's such easy money. All I can assume is either they are too dim to work it out or it just takes too much energy for what must be the most unfit (and often obese) police force in the world.

[RobU]

5 hours ago, bradiston said:

If they had a Highway Code it might be a start. Overtaking on a pedestrian crossing is a definite nono in the UK. And teach people rights of way. Education, education, education.

 

Anyone that has a licence must produce it at the centre that issues them. They will be issued with a copy of the Thai highway code, which they will sign for. After 30 days they will return for a test. Fail, and you lose your licence until you can pass the test.

I agree they don't even have to spend any time creating it, just copy the UK highway code. Have a written test and force every car driver to take a minimum course of driving lessons from an authorized instructor who would be obliged to teach the highway code This would actually create revenue for the government since authorised instructors would have to pass a test and pay to be registered. The written test would be charged for and if they made a law that all vehicles must carry a current copy of the highway code then the massive sales from that publication would also generate revenue

[ChC1]

I hate to say it, but China has got it right in this regards. 

 

In China, CCTV cameras are everywhere. So if a car did not follow the rules in a junction, its picture was taken, then in every big junction there is a giant screen. The screen will rotate showing every single car with their registration number in the scene where they broke the rule (especially in pedestrian crossing), then next to that picture is the picture, name and license number of the culprits, with the message that how many points were deducted.

 

The public shaming is barbaric. I don't like the idea.

 

However, after a while, I start to realise in a society that nobody take notice of the rules, and ignore it completely, you have to take actions that the culprits would feel familiar with. Whatever fine you impose or how many times you taking away driving licence, the bad driver will just get on with their bad habits, and even attempt to drive without licence. The solution is unfortunately barbaric and against all my liberal values. It works in China. It won't work in Europe or USA as there would be too much noise made and such a scheme will be abandoned quickly. However, it may work well in a state like Thailand, Iran and Russia.

[Bangkok Barry]

6 hours ago, 473geo said:

crossing lights would really need to be installed to give a signal to motorists people are waiting to cross,

They tried that on Beach Road in Pattaya, among other places, and there is a YouTube video of everyone, including at least one police vehicle, just driving through the red light. As one would expect in Me First Thailand.

[ChC1]

 

Like this.

[dutchweller]

Well me crossing a zebra crossing while a green walk light and a red no turn signal did not help me the Thai guy ran over my foot and broke my toe.

Police were more concerned that I might have damaged the "red plate" car when I slammed my hand down on his side panel when screaming in pain.

I was expected to pay for "damage" 

The Driver and the police could give stuff the driver rand a red and struck a pedestrian on a Zebra.

The driver even made the excuse that he thought green walking man light ment he was allowed to drive over the Zebra.

 

This is the la k of care, training, honesty that Is dragging this place down.

It will always be a Developing 2nd tier..

[robertson468]

Maybe they should have traffic lights at all the pedestrian crossings?

[steevjee]

Road safety in Thailand is virtually non existent, to survive you need to be completely mindful of that.

People in power giving lip service to the public is however very much the norm here.

It's a complete disgrace and the Police are only the foot soldiers of those that are really to blame.

The RTP are controlled by the Military and we all know who is in charge of the Thai Military.

[GreasyFingers]

Easily fixed. Put up signs at the crossings as they have in the main street of Broome:

"TRAFFIC HAS RIGHT OF WAY"

[EricTh]

Most westerners who come to Thailand thinking that people will stop at Zebra crossing is in for a rude shock.

 

Not just Thailand, in fact, almost all countries in East Asia except Japan but Japan has an efficient train system.

[overt2016]

The number of crossings that are not sign posted or marked is contributing factor. 

Don't get me started on cops ignoring crossings.

[SAFETY FIRST]

11 minutes ago, dutchweller said:

Well me crossing a zebra crossing while a green walk light and a red no turn signal did not help me the Thai guy ran over my foot and broke my toe.

Police were more concerned that I might have damaged the "red plate" car when I slammed my hand down on his side panel when screaming in pain.

I was expected to pay for "damage" 

The Driver and the police could give stuff the driver rand a red and struck a pedestrian on a Zebra.

The driver even made the excuse that he thought green walking man light ment he was allowed to drive over the Zebra.

 

This is the la k of care, training, honesty that Is dragging this place down.

It will always be a Developing 2nd tier..

Dude, you got to be more careful, accidents happen everywhere. 

 

Try being more focused when out and about, never let your guard down. 

 

[Jorgendk]

6 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

In most civilised countries a zebra crossing is referred to as a pavement crossing the road, and the police are quick to fine anyone who does not stop or allow pedestrians to cross.

zebra crossings do work in Thailand.
Yes in other countries they have Pedestrian crossings where pedestrians should be safe.
In Thailand they have zebra crossings. They do work. Have you ewer seen a zebra hit by a car, while crossing a zebra crossing ???????????

[bradiston]

They might be more costly, and maybe more problematic access wise, but I don't think there is a single pedestrian bridge in Pattaya. Not even over Sukhumvit. A ramp would allow access to just about everybody. Ok, they wouldn't look too good on Beach Rd, but on 2, 3 and Nua, Klang and Tai? No need to police them either. And extra space for street vendors!

[Mr Meeseeks]

50 minutes ago, robertson468 said:

Maybe they should have traffic lights at all the pedestrian crossings?

They are ignored in Thailand, at least they were when I lived in Thong Lor in Bangkok and are ignored now in Pattaya.

[Mr Meeseeks]

44 minutes ago, EricTh said:

Most westerners who come to Thailand thinking that people will stop at Zebra crossing is in for a rude shock.

 

Not just Thailand, in fact, almost all countries in East Asia except Japan but Japan has an efficient train system.

Singapore and Hong Kong both manage it. 

[Rimmer]

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[Chiang Mai Will]

7 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

In most civilised countries a zebra crossing is referred to as a pavement crossing the road, and the police are quick to fine anyone who does not stop or allow pedestrians to cross.

Well, the Thai authorities are now going to "discuss" the issue!

 

I wonder what there is to discuss? Carry on as now and ignore any enforcement -- or to enforce by legislation the security of pedestrians on zebra crossings and prosecute all drivers that do not stop?

 

Of course, any "enforcement" has to be "enforced" by the RTP!

[VocalNeal]

42 minutes ago, bradiston said:

I don't think there is a single pedestrian bridge in Pattaya.

They would be ignored for the most part. Easier to cross at street level.

[Paulypoo]

Everyone is missing the point.

This  is a corrupt, morally bankrupt country where life is cheap and no one gives a damn about anyone other than themselves.

 

My friend was recently hit by a driver who did not stop - no police investigation.

 

Parents don’t seem to care that their kids are out in the early hours with the family motorcycle.

 

Children ride a motorcycle to school - the teachers don’t say a word.

 

500 baht to the cops absolved you of all crime.

 

Drinking and driving is rife.

 

The equivalent population of a small town is slaughtered on the roads every year.
 

No one cares.

[dutchweller]

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Dude, you got to be more careful, accidents happen everywhere. 

 

Try being more focused when out and about, never let your guard down. 

 

The guy Literally Sped up at a red NO TURN Light while we were following the flow of PEDESTRIANS on a Marked crosswalk
Meaning I was walking with  a group of people in front of me and this guy came out of a red light turning right. 
I was very carful  but there are some things you don't expect.
The guy clearly had no idea or was just indifferent to any road rules or actually wanted to maim or kill someone.. that's just normal here.
Accidents are unexpected This guy literally barged his car through a group of people thinking he had rite of way THATS NOT AN ACCIDENT! 
 
Bit like the Ahole that mounted a Footpath and killed people who were waiting at the bus stop?

[Desmondo69]

How many somchais  die on the road countrywide on a daily basis??

but when a doctor gets killed ( God rest her soul) it makes news?? 

[Fairynuff]

In this country a zebra crossing is just a target on your back.

[SiSePuede419]

zebra crossing?

 

cross·walk

/ˈkrôsˌwôk

noun

NORTH AMERICAN

1. a marked part of a road where pedestrians have right of way to cross.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

9 hours ago, overherebc said:

Lots of red flashing lights with 10 second countdown then these pop up would work.

 

Where are those kinds of things installed?