Because you were curious have you ever tried to drive at the same speed as some of the people here just to see how what speed they're really going? Today in small 2 lane road through a village I followed a motorcycle and found he was going 70k/hour! That's a totally unreasonable speed on that road but this is pretty normal and to be expected here.

 

They removed frames so you don't see the full impact but in the video you can see this 90 year old women trying to cross this 2 lane road and getting hit by a truck which appears to be going too fast and throws her about 10 feet to her death. Really tragic but this is normal driving in Thailand. Whey they report on tourists misbehaving they've been "farang again" but never do they allude to "another preventable accident". I don't even think Thai people know they have problem.

 

Of course nothing will be learned and it will happen soon. I seriously can't understand what's wrong with these people and driving. No amount of death will ever teach them any lessons. It's terrible and I hate it but nothing will ever change.

 

 

 

I posted this because I saw another video of how Amsterdam is reducing the speed limit to 30k/hour on an additional number of roads citing safety and noise concerns. That seems a little slow but I'd rather have this than what we have in Thailand. This is what a civilized country does that cares about its citizens.

 

 

Shocking 

4 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Shocking 

The way she tried to wave down the cars to get some help. So sad. It must be terrifying being that old and trying to get around on the roads here. Thailand 90 years ago must have been bliss. RIP old lady at least she had a good long life.

54 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Shocking 

 

is it really ? 

58 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

I posted this because I saw another video of how Amsterdam is reducing the speed limit to 30k/hour on an additional number of roads citing safety and noise concerns. That seems a little slow but I'd rather have this than what we have in Thailand. This is what a civilized country does that cares about its citizens.

 

 

 

in my hometown they have reduced speed limits to 40 in school zones. :)

Edited May 5, 20242 yr by stoner

5 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

in my hometown they have reduced speed limits to 40 in school zones. 🙂

Well in my city we have a speed limit of 40 in school zones for yonks 

4 hours ago, still kicking said:

Well in my city we have a speed limit of 40 in school zones for yonks 

Really.    Standard in Pennsylvania, USA is 15mph / 25kph.  And strictly enforced.

 

To reach the ripe old age of 90 and in what it seems to be in good health and to end her life in such a way

nothing but a pity and a shame...

There are AN members who ride motorcycles on these deadly roads. Amazing.

2 hours ago, Nemises said:

There are AN members who ride motorcycles on these deadly roads. Amazing.

Riding motorcycles is one of the best things about Thailand but they make it oh so hard by allowing literally anything on the roads going any speed.

2 hours ago, Nemises said:

There are AN members who ride motorcycles on these deadly roads. Amazing.

Been riding almost daily for 40+ years, and more than half of those here in TH.   Defensive driving and a bit of common sense will keep you alive, or at least increase your chances.

 

On that, common sense.   There is a reason we aren't suppose to jaywalk.   Cross at corners or crosswalks, where it is safer.   And not simply hold our hand up for traffic to stop, as not everyone is paying attention, obviously.  Maybe she had superpowers, and they were on the blink.

 

R I P ... hopefully 90 years was enough, as she looked in good health, had most of her wits about here, looking both ways before attempting to cross.   Just picked the wrong spot at the wrong time.

 

On a happier note ...

 

23 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

3 hours ago, Nemises said:

 

Been riding almost daily for 40+ years, and more than half of those here in TH.   Defensive driving and a bit of common sense will keep you alive, or at least increase your chances.

Agree about using common sense etc, but curious to know how you defend yourself against a heavier, thus deadly for you, vehicle from slamming into the back of you? (Which is common, more so these days, with every 2nd Thai driver playing on their phone…who isn’t already drunk, drugged, speeding etc.)

 

 

Edited May 6, 20242 yr by Nemises

18 minutes ago, Nemises said:

Agree about using common sense etc, but curious to know how you defend yourself against a heavier, thus deadly for you, vehicle from slamming into the back of you? (Which is common, more so these days, with every 2nd Thai driver playing on their phone…who isn’t already drunk, drugged, speeding etc.)

Again, just use common sense, and be aware of your surrounding.   Use your damn mirror when stationary, and place something, other vehicles in between you and approaching traffic.   Along with don't block yourself in, and always try to have an escape route.   Probably why TH has the 'green' section at intersections reserved for scooters.  Although I prefer not even to be there, if can be avoided, in case someone has an oops and crosses over.

 

Although, if in front, and see something coming, may be able to get out of the way.

 

There's 2 ways for me to go to the park & surf every day.  I take the long way, 1 km more & slower, as I don't want to sit at intersection for a long time, and no fast traffic should be coming up behind me vs sitting on hwy # 4, which would be shorter & faster, but at a major intersection, with traffic buzzing by, both directions at 90+ kph, and sh!t does happen at times. 

 

I even go that way when driving the car, and simply common sense, and defensive driving to me.  If you're not looking in your rear view quite often while driving, especially when stationary, then you're not using common sense or driving defensively.  I want to know what's around me all the time, JIC.

 

Kept me alive and fairly accident free this long.

Edited May 6, 20242 yr by KhunLA

10 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

I posted this because I saw another video of how Amsterdam is reducing the speed limit to 30k/hour on an additional number of roads citing safety and noise concerns. That seems a little slow but I'd rather have this than what we have in Thailand. This is what a civilized country does that cares about its citizens.

 

 

its nice sentiment to think Thailand should follow suit with any other country to reduce speeds and risks to pedestrians and other drivers but when the population ignores all traffic signs, laws and common sense when driving, coupled with the lack of police enforcement and absent punishment from the court system nothing will change here. Police actually see and watch people breaking the driving laws and make no attempt to do anything. The closest you can get is a roadblock check point and those dont do a whole lot either. Throw in the number of unlicensed drivers and underaged children riding 4 to a scooter weaving through traffic and its just a matter of time until disaster strikes. You've even seen instances where hi-so kids run over and kill police and everyone in the system from fellow police to court judges and politicians look the other way and help them evade arrest and leave the country, making no attempt to even list them with interpol as a red notice.  Pathetic and shameful mentality at best

47 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Been riding almost daily for 40+ years, and more than half of those here in TH.   Defensive driving and a bit of common sense will keep you alive, or at least increase your chances.

 

On that, common sense.   There is a reason we aren't suppose to jaywalk.   Cross at corners or crosswalks, where it is safer.   And not simply hold our hand up for traffic to stop, as not everyone is paying attention, obviously.  Maybe she had superpowers, and they were on the blink.

 

R I P ... hopefully 90 years was enough, as she looked in good health, had most of her wits about here, looking both ways before attempting to cross.   Just picked the wrong spot at the wrong time.

 

On a happier note ...

 

Using common sense as you describe means nothing here when drivers speed thru red lights at cross walks and hit and kill people that are using common sense weekly here. Generally not much in the way of a penalty happens in the majority of cases and often its police or politicians involved. If the story doesn't get traction on social media then its just a fart in the wind generally. 

15 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Again, just use common sense, and be aware of your surrounding.   Use your damn mirror when stationary, and place something, other vehicles in between you and approaching traffic.   Along with don't block yourself in, and always try to have an escape route.   Probably why TH has the 'green' section at intersections reserved for scooters.  Although I prefer not even to be there, if can be avoided, in case someone has an oops and crosses over.

 

Although, if in front, and see something coming, may be able to get out of the way.

 

There's 2 ways for me to go to the park & surf every day.  I take the long way, 1 km more & slower, as I don't want to sit at intersection for a long time, and no fast traffic should be coming up behind me vs sitting on hwy # 4, which would be shorter & faster, but at a major intersection, with traffic buzzing by, both directions at 90+ kph, and sh!t does happen at times. 

 

I even go that way when driving the car, and simply common sense, and defensive driving to me.  If you're not looking in your rear view quite often while driving, especially when stationary, then you're not using common sense or driving defensively.  I want to know what's around me all the time, JIC.

 

Kept me alive and fairly accident free this long.

Common sense only works when most everyone uses it and that doesnt happen here. 

41 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Again, just use common sense, and be aware of your surrounding.   Use your damn mirror when stationary, and place something, other vehicles in between you and approaching traffic.   Along with don't block yourself in, and always try to have an escape route.   Probably why TH has the 'green' section at intersections reserved for scooters.  Although I prefer not even to be there, if can be avoided, in case someone has an oops and crosses over.

 

Although, if in front, and see something coming, may be able to get out of the way.

 

There's 2 ways for me to go to the park & surf every day.  I take the long way, 1 km more & slower, as I don't want to sit at intersection for a long time, and no fast traffic should be coming up behind me vs sitting on hwy # 4, which would be shorter & faster, but at a major intersection, with traffic buzzing by, both directions at 90+ kph, and sh!t does happen at times. 

 

I even go that way when driving the car, and simply common sense, and defensive driving to me.  If you're not looking in your rear view quite often while driving, especially when stationary, then you're not using common sense or driving defensively.  I want to know what's around me all the time, JIC.

 

Kept me alive and fairly accident free this long.

Thanks 🙏

 

So, for example, you are stopped at a red light - just you, no other bikes or cars for “shelter”. 
 

You have done the sensible thing and stopped your bike to the extreme left of the road - with no escape route possible on this particular occasion due to cross traffic or whatever.
 

A distracted, speeding ute driver (common on Thai roads) still manages to slam into the back you - but you survive!
 

How do you avoid this from happening again?

 

 

Edited May 6, 20242 yr by Nemises

10 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

I don't even think Thai people know they have problem.

 

I think this is the key.  Thai people just think completely differently to Western people about these matters.  It doesn't even occur to them and they don't even think there is a problem.  The idea of preventing something, being proactive, or even reactive is a pretty foreign concept in Thailand.  They kind of just work/live to a different standard.

 

To us, it seems incredibly simple.  Drive slower, follow the rules of the road, and so on.  But Thais often see the world from a very fatalistic viewpoint.  Then you can add the fact that Thais are encouraged not to think for themselves, never to question anything, never to criticise anything, never to bother with anything that doesn't affect them, it goes on.  This perfect combination means that issues are rarely addressed.

12 minutes ago, Nemises said:

Thanks 🙏 ... So, for example, you are stopped at a red light - just you, no other bikes or cars for “shelter”... You have done the sensible thing and stopped your bike to the extreme left of the road. A distracted, speeding ute driver (common on Thai roads) still manages to slam into you - but you survive! ...  How do you avoid this from happening again?

Apparently I didn't ... and sh!t happens.   You can minimize the risk, but certainly not eliminate it.  

 

Just have to fall back on ... "GOD is my co-pilot" or that amulet or tat.   What if, what if, what if ...

 

... What if, I lived in fear my whole life, and didn't enjoy living every aspect that I could.  That would kill my spirit and me, so why bother 'living' at all.

 

Someone killing me is the least of my problems, considering my past silliness, and yet, still didn't kill myself.

 

On topic ... is she crossed at the corner, this thread probably wouldn't exist.   There's that ... 

14 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

. What if, I lived in fear my whole life, and didn't enjoy living every aspect that I could.  That would kill my spirit and me, so why bother 'living' at all.

Yes but the question was about how your “40+ years riding experience and common sense will help keep you alive” in that particular situation you were given. 
 

 

Edited May 6, 20242 yr by Nemises

2 minutes ago, Nemises said:

Yes but the question was about how your “40+ years riding experience and common sense” will help keep you alive in that particular situation you were given. 

Give it a rest ... enough with the 'what ifs'

 

23+ years of driving scooters in TH, and never an oops ... I must be doing something right.  What I'm not doing ... is living in fear.  

 

Stay home, order everything delivered, and we'll all be fine ... NO THANKS

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Give it a rest ... enough with the 'what ifs'

 

23+ years of driving scooters in TH, and never an oops ... I must be doing something right.  What I'm not doing ... is living in fear.  

 

Stay home, order everything delivered, and we'll all be fine ... NO THANKS

Stopping at a red light without cover is hardly a “what if” … it’s common!
 

Appears your “40+ years experience and common sense” won’t save your life in this common occurrence. 

Stay safe!
 

1 minute ago, Nemises said:

Stopping at a red light without cover is hardly a “what if” … it’s common!
 

Appears your “40+ years experience and common sense” won’t save your life in this common occurrence. 

Stay safe!
 

" just you, no other bikes or cars for “shelter”.

 

Might be common in your world, but not mine.  Guess you don't drive in TH much 

11 minutes ago, Nemises said:

Appears your “40+ years experience and common sense” won’t save your life in this common occurrence.

 

i don't want to be a negative nancy here but he also said that in 23 years riding here he has never had an owie. 

 

so clearly it isn't so common in his experience ? 

Edited May 6, 20242 yr by stoner

11 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

I posted this because I saw another video of how Amsterdam is reducing the speed limit to 30k/hour on an additional number of roads citing safety and noise concerns. That seems a little slow but I'd rather have this than what we have in Thailand. This is what a civilized country does that cares about its citizens.

 

 

Our village has a City Limit sign and 2 worn out pedestrian crossings, with No road signs to indicate the crossings, and a 'cross road' junction, with a cctv on it, nobody pays attention to any of it.

 

If there had been a cross bridge, no doubt some would say why didn't this 

90yr old lady climb it in searing heat. just saying. 

14 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

" just you, no other bikes or cars for “shelter”.

 

Might be common in your world, but not mine.  Guess you don't drive in TH much 

Still no answer to the question I notice 🤣

12 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

I posted this because I saw another video of how Amsterdam is reducing the speed limit to 30k/hour on an additional number of roads citing safety and noise concerns. That seems a little slow but I'd rather have this than what we have in Thailand. This is what a civilized country does that cares about its citizens.

 

 

 

They also have a bunch of muzzies at their doorstep

21 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

i don't want to be a negative nancy here but he also said that in 23 years riding here he has never had an owie. 

 

so clearly it isn't so common in his experience ? 

No one said otherwise! The question was simply: how does ‘40+ years experience & commonsense’ save someone on a motorcycle stopped at a red light when you stopped to the extreme left , have no cover and are hit from behind from a fast-moving heavier vehicle?”. 

 

Edited May 6, 20242 yr by Nemises