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

[bluemoon58]

Just to echo other comments, it takes a Doctor being killed to spur them into action! Zebra crossings are a nightmare here. 90% of those who actually let people cross at them are usually farangs. The shocked looks I get off Thais when I stop to let them cross would amaze you! I'll believe this clampdown when it happens as I've heard it all before. 

[smedly]

Prawit - this has been your responsibility for years - you have failed, why are you still in office

[Gandtee]

6 minutes ago, Xonax said:

In congested Bangkok traffic, you most often don't notice the pedestrian crossing, before it is too late to hit the brakes.
 

Yes some of the crossings are faded, but you should see a pedestrian waiting to cross. Don't just look at the vehicle in front of you. Look way ahead to be prepared. Like a Boy Scout?????

[HAPPYNUFF]

As  the late Bernard Trink    stated in his column,   Thais   are puzzled about those things called "zebra"  crossings on  roadways.   All Thais know there are no zebras in Thailand,   so why bother stopping.

[smedly]

9 minutes ago, bluemoon58 said:

Just to echo other comments, it takes a Doctor being killed to spur them into action! Zebra crossings are a nightmare here. 90% of those who actually let people cross at them are usually farangs. The shocked looks I get off Thais when I stop to let them cross would amaze you! I'll believe this clampdown when it happens as I've heard it all before. 

and if you stop you risk being rear ended especially dangerous on a motorbike

[Gandtee]

9 minutes ago, John Drake said:

It's a pedestrian crosswalk. I never let my zebras cross the street.

But it's still a Danger Man.????

[EVENKEEL]

48 minutes ago, overherebc said:

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

Giving out classified military secrets are you? Comsec

[Mr Meeseeks]

32 minutes ago, trainman34014 said:

The one time out of four License renewals i got pulled to watch a Video it was noticed that the Vid' must have been at least 30 years old looking at Vehicles and People's clothes; shows how keen they are to make people aware of the latest rules and laws.  Meanwhile in the another room ajoining mine were about forty Young Thai's who were, without exception, playing with their phone's and ignoring the Video completely that they were supposed to watch to obtain their first License.  A Female Civil Servant 'in charge' of the room was busy....playing with her phone as well !

Seems as if they were practicing, as playing with one's phone while in control of a vehicle is a skill that requires to be mastered in order to drive here. 

[bradiston]

1 minute ago, Gandtee said:

Yes some of the crossings are faded, but you should see a pedestrian waiting to cross. Don't just look at the vehicle in front of you. Look way ahead to be prepared. Like a Boy Scout?????

I drove a cab in London for over 10 years, and believe me, pedestrian crossings really require you to look way up the street repeatedly. Your eyes get trained to pick out the orange beacons, but a lot now don't have them. It means driving with the utmost caution at all times, which, of course, is the only way. Plus, foreign pedestrians will step out looking in the opposite direction. First rule SLOW BLOODY DOWN!

[Mr Meeseeks]

11 minutes ago, smedly said:

Prawit - this has been your responsibility for years - you have failed, why are you still in office

Because ability and performance doesn't matter.

[Pedrogaz]

Change in police culture to policing instead of collecting money???? No chance. Look for another useless  'crackdown' lasting all of two weeks.

[jossthaifarang]

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I always stop for pedestrians on the zebra crossings and red traffic light crossings but it's dangerous, I always pull to the left and look in my mirrors because very few drivers stop. 

 

Makes me a little anxious, worried if I'm going to get hit from behind 

Been there done that, when I first started driving in Thailand I got rearended while stopped at a pedestrian crossing. I ended up paying for the whole lot. If they really want to fix the problem they should put up proper lights, that way you dont have people unexpectedly flying out into the middle of the road...

[Tropicalevo]

49 minutes ago, itsari said:

It is not an offense to not stop . Thailand has a rule that the pedestrian must wait until the way is clear 

 

31 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Nope, the law has been changed 

New rules, you must stop 

I know that the UK law has changed this year. (Most pedestrians in the UK never understood that one.)

Is that also true in Thailand?

[jaiyen]

I have lost count of how many motorcyclists I have hit as they nearly run me down when I am crossing at a pedestrian crossing, even where there are lights ! Not one has ever come back to me, even though I have waited for them.  Good examples are the crossroads at Nana, and Ratchadaphisek Rd opposite Bangkok Smile dentist. This one has lights ! Drivers still ignore it,

[Confuscious]

Nothing will ever change in Thailand.

On a crossing in Korat where many accidents was happening, the government installed several cameras to watch the crossing.
A week later, all the camera wires were hanging lose in the air.
Destroyed by some people who saw their income het lost.

The answer to the traffic problem in Thailand will come after 2024 when electric vehicles will make a big part of the vehicles on the road.

[jesimps]

2 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.

France isn't one of them.

[overherebc]

38 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Giving out classified military secrets are you? Comsec

????

Nah. We used these.

[wensiensheng]

2 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.

Civilized being the operative word. Thailand is far from that. 

[wensiensheng]

14 minutes ago, Confuscious said:

Nothing will ever change in Thailand.

On a crossing in Korat where many accidents was happening, the government installed several cameras to watch the crossing.
A week later, all the camera wires were hanging lose in the air.
Destroyed by some people who saw their income het lost.

The answer to the traffic problem in Thailand will come after 2024 when electric vehicles will make a big part of the vehicles on the road.

Why? Does it hurt less when you get hit by an electric vehicle?

 

i would have thought the problem wil get worse. At least at the moment you might hear something is about to scythe you down and take avoiding action.

 

I’d also like to place a bet that by 2024 electric vehicles make up about the same percentage of road traffic in Thailand as it does now. This is Thailand, talk doesn’t translate into action.

[tomyami]

Thai atitude they own not share the road needs to be taught in schools will take generations

Billions invested in a good road infrastructure and nothing to show for it, accidents are result of reckless stupidity no respect for other road users

[foreverlomsak]

1 hour ago, bradiston said:

If they had a Highway Code it might be a start.

they do, I was given one (in Thai) to study when I went for my previous renewal, I said don't read Thai the DLT official came back 2 minutes later with one in English. This last renewal was a 1-hour on-line app/video in English during which I had to answer questions.

[Brick Top]

Trying to cross the road using a Zebra crossing in Patong is similar to running across the starting grid at the Monaco grand prix there is zero chance of anyone stopping , in fact I have noticed that most drivers just speed up 

Edited January 25, 2022 by Brick Top
Spelling

[ikke1959]

I think 25 years ago in my country they told already that it was  much safer in Thailand to cross the road somewhere else than on a zebra crossing. Enforcing the traffic laws must be done 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and not only check if you paid the tax. 

And a good education should be basic, not only 5 hours watching video's to get a drivers license.. Get good instructors and let candidates drive at least 30hours with an instructor before they can get a driverslicense. Teach them how to take part and deal with different situations instead of steering and gaz given.... Stop kids riding motorcycles, because they don't have a clue and will learn things in the wrong way and once a habit it is difficult to chance. And the police has to stop being lazy

But I will dream on

Edited January 25, 2022 by ikke1959

[leither69]

2 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!!

You think lights will make them stop!! Dream on

[easydoor]

A zebra crossing: THE PLACE TO BE TO DIE!!!!

[Paul Henry]

Great way to solve a national problem "MORE TALK and MEETINGS ." Then no action.

Employ some highly trained foriegn police officers to run the police academies and don't let them graduate till they are police officers not an idiot who buys a job and then spends all his time getting his money back plus some.

[PEE TEE]

Same old story it takes a life before anything is done. We will fill that pothole when someone has an accident. 

[khunpa]

The problem about a deeply corrupted society, is that you need to completely change the mindset of the majority of people, which takes generations.

 

The PM can demand all he wants. Will not change the thinking of either police or the drivers. So good luck!

 

 

[newnative]

Just the usual going through the motions after some bad publicity.  Look! We're doing something!  As always, the 'doing something' is yet another committee to study the matter.  And, that will be that.

[sammieuk1]

Yes any year now the action will start ????