Bangkok to equip 100 zebra crossings with traffic lights in two weeks

[snoop1130]

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to install pedestrian operated traffic lights at about 100 dangerous zebra crossings in the city to provide better safety, Deputy Bangkok Governor Pol Lt-Gen Sophon Pisutthiwong said today (Thursday).

 

He said the work will be completed in two weeks, adding that AI surveillance cameras will also be installed, with the work expected to be completed in a month, to catch motorists or motorcyclists who do not stop at the red light to allow pedestrians to cross.

 

One crossing to be equipped with such devices is the one in Phaya Thai district, where an eye specialist at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine was struck and killed by a large motorcycle being ridden by a non-commissioned police officer on January 21st.  The incident caused a public uproar and calls for increased safety for pedestrians on zebra crossings.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bangkok-to-equip-100-zebra-crossings-with-traffic-lights-in-two-weeks/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-03

 

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[MJCM]

They installed that in Pattaya on Beach Road and on 2nd Road and what happened???

 

No one took notice and they did NOT stop. ! (But maybe the camera's will help (eventually ???? ) 

 

Edited February 3, 2022 by MJCM

[Crossy]

OK so we get pretty lights changing colour.

 

Blackpool has competition.

 

I admit to nearly rear-ending another vehicle on Tuesday because they stopped for a pedestrian (who I couldn't see as hidden by a truck) at a crossing with no lights!  Maybe the locals are changing!

 

[RichardColeman]

12 minutes ago, Crossy said:

I admit to nearly rear-ending another vehicle on Tuesday because they stopped for a pedestrian (who I couldn't see as hidden by a truck) at a crossing with no lights!  Maybe the locals are changing!

how do you know a it wasn't a foreigner that knows what a zebra crossing is driving ? 

[Crossy]

2 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

how do you know a it wasn't a foreigner that knows what a zebra crossing is driving ? 

 

Could well have been, but even as close to BKK as we are foreigners are as common as rocking horse droppings.

 

Since I didn't actually hit him as I was following (just) far enough back I guess we will never know.

[Metapod]

Traffic is going to get even slower

[Wiggy]

This could potentially make crossings even more dangerous as pedestrians (especially unsuspecting tourists) will think it’s safe to cross. 

[SeaMike01]

This is the excuse every time, isn't it. So remove all the pedestrian crossings and they'll continue having to run across the middle of the road. That sounds much safer.

[Boyn]

Makes no difference the thai driver just does not understand what a pedestrian crossing is ,lights or not.

[Meat Pie 47]

1 hour ago, Metapod said:

Traffic is going to get even slower

So for you a couple of minutes is more important than a life

[clivebaxter]

We have one near us, big red.green lights, bleeper, time counter- mrs drove straight through it today on red!

[jaiyen]

7 hours ago, clivebaxter said:

We have one near us, big red.green lights, bleeper, time counter- mrs drove straight through it today on red!

Then you better teach her how to drive and obey the road rules ! Or it could cost you big time.

[Real Name Hidden]

I walked in a zebra crossing yesterday and a vehicle actually stopped for me, first time that's ever happened 

[RJRS1301]

Will they also install "red light cameras"  to record the plate of non compliant drivers?

Perhaps even placing a police officer in hivis vests to patrol the lights and enforce the reasons for them may educate the populace. Visible  presence of law enforcement of changes behaviours

 

 

[sungod]

1 hour ago, RJRS1301 said:

Will they also install "red light cameras"  to record the plate of non compliant drivers?

Perhaps even placing a police officer in hivis vests to patrol the lights and enforce the reasons for them may educate the populace. Visible  presence of law enforcement of changes behaviours

 

 

Its starting to get hot mate, air conditioned police boxes are far more enticing.....

[Excel]

Given Thai drivers mainly male, proclivity to run the red light I don't see how an earth this will save innocent pedestrians from being mown down at these crossings by these irresponsible and reckless imbeciles.

[rwill]

We were in Chiang Mai in December.  They have some crosswalks with lights on the roads surrounding the old city.  We were at one and pressed the button for the light to stop traffic and almost stepped out when it did only to have 2 cars run through it at speed.

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to install pedestrian operated traffic lights at about 100 dangerous zebra crossings in the city to provide better safety, Deputy Bangkok Governor Pol Lt-Gen Sophon Pisutthiwong said today (Thursday)

Ah yes the "Red lights" that indicate stop that no-one bothers to abide by?

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, Metapod said:

Traffic is going to get even slower

Live with it and enjoy the radio.

[mtls2005]

The entire reaction to the tragic death of Dr. Waraluk is best encapsulated with the term knee-jerk.

 

(Which is to be expected here of course)  "Bangkok's traffic problems to be solved in 30 days"

 

What's next? 100 new overhead walkways?

 

 

Clearly state the laws and rules. For example: pedestrians have the right of way in a crosswalk, regardless of light state, end of story.

 

 

In a few weeks the paint will have worn away, or be covered with mold, and we'll be back to the old ways.

 

 

 

And motorcycle traffic on sidewalks needs to be rigorously enforced and stopped ASAP. I think many of these accidents and injuries go unreported here, perhaps owing to the lower speeds and exchange of coin?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[actonion]

15 hours ago, MJCM said:

They installed that in Pattaya on Beach Road and on 2nd Road and what happened???

 

No one took notice and they did NOT stop. ! (But maybe the camera's will help (eventually ???? ) 

 

If those cameras work, Thai's dont do maintenance

[actonion]

10 hours ago, Boyn said:

Makes no difference the thai driver just does not understand what a pedestrian crossing is ,lights or not.

SurE,      So much for  Thai driving tests,  and highway code knowledge

[clokwise]

In Chiang Mai these similar crossings around the moat are actually more dangerous because people (mostly tourists) assume cars are gonna stop, when in fact they do not. Drivers will slow slightly at the red light (if they actually even notice it), though upon not seeing anyone crossing all traffic will just continue through the red light at full speed. If they really want these type of crossings to be effective they need to install cameras and send tickets to every vehicle which passes through. Otherwise, we're far safer taking our chances sprinting through traffic wherever we think we can make it.

Edited February 4, 2022 by clokwise

[warrima]

What usually happens at the crossings with lights is they press the button but don't actually wait for the lights to go red (green man). They scamper across at the first opportunity. Then a minute later the lights go red and no ones around at the crossing. Again some cars stop (as its a light) and some take a quick look and see no pedestrians and go - but technically is jumping a red light.  

[swm59nj]

  I’m going to say this is a step in the right direction.  Even though I don’t think it’s going to do much.  Because of the mentality of many drivers here.  But hopefully this step will save some lives. 
Many of these improvements are being done since the tragic incident with the doctor losing her life crossing the street.  May she Rest In Peace.  
But many people have been injured and killed in the past.  In any country, not just Thailand, certain people will draw more attention.  It doesn’t reflect personally on that person.  That is just the way it is.

[Venom]

Adding 100 more traffic lights to the streets of Bangkok will fix it. Nevermind the traffic pile up. ????

[steveyinasia]

45 minutes ago, clokwise said:

In Chiang Mai these similar crossings around the moat are actually more dangerous because people (mostly tourists) assume cars are gonna stop, when in fact they do not. Drivers will slow slightly at the red light (if they actually even notice it), though upon not seeing anyone crossing all traffic will just continue through the red light at full speed. If they really want these type of crossings to be effective they need to install cameras and send tickets to every vehicle which passes through. Otherwise, we're far safer taking our chances sprinting through traffic wherever we think we can make it.

Never had an issue with the crossing at the back of Thae Pae gate, I think it is the only one drivers notice purely from a volume of pedestrians.  Other crossings around the moat I have not used

[wensiensheng]

17 hours ago, MJCM said:

They installed that in Pattaya on Beach Road and on 2nd Road and what happened???

 

No one took notice and they did NOT stop. ! (But maybe the camera's will help (eventually ???? ) 

 

I don’t think the cameras will help. If “caught” on one, then there is no system or procedure to enforce a penalty on the individual “caught”. Same as all the unpaid speeding fines for people “caught” by speed cameras

[robertson468]

On 2/3/2022 at 10:05 PM, SeaMike01 said:

This is the excuse every time, isn't it. So remove all the pedestrian crossings and they'll continue having to run across the middle of the road. That sounds much safer.

Try crossing the road in Vietnam.  It's like sponsored suicide!

[ruddick]

Not sure traffic lights will make much difference, but even if only one life is saved that is good.