Black & White Pedestrian Crossings

[Richb2004v2]

I have wondered for a long time, why, and since when, does Thailand have black and white striped pedestrian crossings? I see them all over the place in various stages of fading out. Normally they are on busy double lane roads what unlikely places for them to be. I don’t ever see anyone stop for people using them although I do sometimes see Thais pedestrians crossing the roads on them. My attention was particularly drawn to them today when I actually did have the opportunity to stop for people using a very faded crossing. I was surprising that a car in the next lane actually stopped too. The people crossing looked quite surprised but pleased.

Does anyone else ever see them used correctly?

[JetsetBkk]

They are extremely dangerous because a large proportion of Thai drivers won't stop unless there is a mob of people trying to cross. I have read in the past about foreigners being killed on a crossing by a truck that didn't stop in time.

I now wait for someone else to make the first move. If the traffic slows, I follow.

[nick2k]

I have wondered for a long time, why, and since when, does Thailand have black and white striped pedestrian crossings? I see them all over the place in various stages of fading out. Normally they are on busy double lane roads what unlikely places for them to be. I don’t ever see anyone stop for people using them although I do sometimes see Thais pedestrians crossing the roads on them. My attention was particularly drawn to them today when I actually did have the opportunity to stop for people using a very faded crossing. I was surprising that a car in the next lane actually stopped too. The people crossing looked quite surprised but pleased.

Does anyone else ever see them used correctly?

have you seen someone run a red light? there are red light runners everywhere in the world. including here in bangkok. I never walk across a street without looking both ways. and neither should you. the majority of drivers will adhere to the law, but all it takes is one bad driver to kill you.

[A_Traveller]

Don't you get double points for a pedestrian on one?

Regards

PS I also love the ignore the red light because I'm turning left, though think that only counts as standard points.

/edit typo//

Edited August 1, 2007 by A_Traveller

[Jersey_UK]

I have wondered for a long time, why, and since when, does Thailand have black and white striped pedestrian crossings? I see them all over the place in various stages of fading out. Normally they are on busy double lane roads what unlikely places for them to be. I don’t ever see anyone stop for people using them although I do sometimes see Thais pedestrians crossing the roads on them. My attention was particularly drawn to them today when I actually did have the opportunity to stop for people using a very faded crossing. I was surprising that a car in the next lane actually stopped too. The people crossing looked quite surprised but pleased.

Does anyone else ever see them used correctly?

Whatever they are I do not think they are Zebra crossings! - more like in France where they have them all over the place, and they only indicate where pedestrians should cross - cars still have priority! (and the odd Brit does learn the difference the hard way).

On a similar same same but different theme - over here if a car flashes it's headlights it means "I will let you across the road", in Thailand it means "look out here I come" ........the crossing at Nana soi 4 is a learning curve for many on this difference!

Edited August 1, 2007 by Jersey_UK

[withnail]

I heard they were there so the ambulances know where to stop.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I heard they were there so the ambulances know where to stop.

[peter991]

In Bangkok, it's much safer to use the overhead pedestrian bridges than try to take a shortcut across a road.

Peter

[onlooker]

I thought footbridges were only built to provide shade for people crossing the street below.

[tezzainoz]

Looking up in the official Thai History book

The department of roads ordered 2.7 million gallons of white paint to use as centre line markers

On the conclusion of the job 30% of the paint was left and the government was afraid this surplus would be stolen by workers

After 3 days of problem finding someone came up with a book from Europe that had these strange lines going across the road and underneath it said this idea saved many many lives.

Great said the people in power, so all agreed and pedestrian crossing where placed all around the country to save lives and use up the paint

Stupid Farang, if you get hit on one of these crossing you still get hurt

[canuckamuck]

I only ever cross when I know I can make it across even if the cars speed up and try to get me. I behave like I am invisible, because apparently we are. There is a busy road near my work where they planted a row of trees between the two lanes. The cross walk leads you right into a big tree and you have to walk around the tree and through the dirt to cross. 10 meters up from it there is a u-turn, everybody crosses there.

[Ulysses G.]

I behave like I am invisible, because apparently we are.

[kmart]

Don't you get double points for a pedestrian on one?

Regards

PS I also love the ignore the red light because I'm turning left, though think that only counts as standard points.

/edit typo//

See attached pic. I think they got the idea of the movie from roads / drivers in Thailand.

Mostly the "Thai Highway Code" (don't laugh, there is one, allegedly) was adopted virtually piecemeal from the Brit version on the recommendation of Someone in high places here, quite a long time ago. If you know your UK Highway Code, you will know more about the actual law of the roads here than a traffic cop. - Just don't follow the rules rigidly, or you will have more accidents than Colonel Blink.

The zebra crossings are part of that. That no-one knows how to use one, or has ever been instructed in the use / benefit of one is par for the course here...

[markwhite]

Does anyone else ever see them used correctly?

Correctly as in 'like they're used in the UK': very seldom.

Correctly like 'how they are used here': all of the time, but I don't understand what their usage is here.

[OlRedEyes]

Does anyone else ever see them used correctly?

Correctly as in 'like they're used in the UK': very seldom.

Correctly like 'how they are used here': all of the time, but I don't understand what their usage is here.

The white stripes highlight the targets, which are sometimes hard to identify in their dull clothes against the black tarmac, for motorists.

[KhaoNiaw]

PS I also love the ignore the red light because I'm turning left, though think that only counts as standard points.

A lot of the left turns at red lights are legal. Usually there is a sign that will inform you whether it's permitted or not. I'm not sure, though, what the default is when there is no sign to tell you.

[A_Traveller]

PS I also love the ignore the red light because I'm turning left, though think that only counts as standard points.

A lot of the left turns at red lights are legal. Usually there is a sign that will inform you whether it's permitted or not. I'm not sure, though, what the default is when there is no sign to tell you.

Know that they are legal where signed, but as you say when there isn't one? Equally, often see it when there is a specific red light {as an arrow} shining.

Regards