Are cars legally required to stop for a zebra?

[JBChiangRai]

 

 

3 minutes ago, connda said:

Deleted

 

you asked for the source, though I don’t understand why you deleted your post.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024294

[JBChiangRai]

13 minutes ago, connda said:

Are cars legally required to stop for a pedestrian crossing a zebra, or is it "up to them"?

Not unless there is a red light at the crossing. 

Wrong.

 

There is a legal requirement to stop with a ฿4000 fine if you don’t.

[metisdead]

A post with a derogatory trolling comment and a reply has been removed, off topic anyway. 

[Lemsta69]

On 9/21/2024 at 11:17 AM, berro said:

Are cars legally required to stop for a pedestrian crossing a zebra, or is it "up to them"?

I remember in Serbia a few years ago after a long stint in Asia, a car actually stopped when he saw me about to cross a zebra. I remember that I had to smile.

And over the months I spent there, I'd say 99 % of the time cars stopped.

Strange that in a country like Thaiand, where polite manners are highly appreciated in social life, suddenly throw all the poiteness overboard when it comes to traffic.

 

It's irrelevant if it's legal or not, it's what happens in practice that matters. "The law" doesn't put an invisible force-field around you when you step into the street at a zebra crossing. More fool you if you stand on principle in that situation.

 

As for manners and politeness, I guess you must have lived in a bubble during your time in the LOS. Plenty of nasty people here for whom the politeness is a thin veneer that collapses very quickly when put to the test.

[KannikaP]

1 hour ago, gargamon said:

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024294

The new traffic law showed that drivers who do not stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings will be fined 4,000 baht and lose one of their 12 total points, with the loss of all counts resulting in a 90-day suspension of a driving licence.

All driving licence holders will start with 12 points each. If drivers are caught breaking traffic laws, 1-4 points will be reduced depending on their types of violations. 

 

Before driving through a zebra crossing, drivers must stop for three metres and wait for pedestrians to cross over a road. 

Motorists must strictly abide by the traffic rules such as following a traffic light signal. 

A loss of all 12 points will contribute to a 90-day suspension of a driving licence. Motorists who drive while their licence gets suspended will be charged with a maximum of 10,000 baht or/and will face up to three months in prison. 

Yep, 4 points for drink driving, so you can get caught 3 times a year until you get banned for the last 90 days of the year. Then off you go again.

[KannikaP]

[Tim K]

Students on a zebra vs somchai



https://www.facebook.com/reel/1197188228222279
 

[BoganInParasite]

My Thai wife was absolutely staggered for several trips to Australia how all cars stop, even if the pedestrian was not yet on the crossing strip. I guess I was as well by the no stopping on my first trip to Thailand.

 

[DUNROAMIN]

Don't be silly TIT. Law or no law never happens here..

[gravity101]

On 9/22/2024 at 12:11 PM, watchcat said:

 

They are, but in traffic they're not, me first stupid people.

I'd love a study on this. Driving behaviour is so contrary to how they behave otherwise. My simplistic view is that they are anonymous in a vehicle and this is actually their true trait. Whereas when they are visible to others they fake courtesy. 

[jippytum]

They should do but don't risk your life on them doing so

[stupidfarang]

On 9/21/2024 at 12:00 PM, motdaeng said:

i usually stop at the pedestrian crossing, but i try to halt at least 10 meters before it and signal for them to cross. if a motorbike passes me on either side, i hope there's enough time to brake. sometimes, stopping at a crossing can be more dangerous than not stopping at all.

Thais know their way of the road, I think you add to the confusion, drivers will just go around you at speed, same with round abouts, they do not know how they are meant to work.

[Henryford]

The cars stop but the motorbikes accelerate to catch you half way across.

[rwill]

It doesn't matter what the laws say.

 

Even the crossings with lights a certain amount of cars will run them anyway.

I imagine someone considering themselves upper class will not stop for peons that have to walk.

 

There is not a day I don't see motorbikes and cars running red lights let alone a crosswalk.  (unless I stay home all day)

It's against the law to drive without a license, not wear a helmet on a motorbike,  not having your car registered, etc.  But millions are doing it every day.

[scorecard]

On 9/22/2024 at 1:12 PM, connda said:

Are cars legally required to stop for a pedestrian crossing a zebra, or is it "up to them"?

Not unless there is a red light at the crossing.  However, unlike the West, here is Thailand it's a matter of self-preservation.  If you believe you have "the right to have cars stop for you in a crosswalk!," you may find yourself being shipped back to your home country in an urn. 

Even at crosswalk with red lights for oncoming traffic, I always look and keep an eye looking in the periphery of my vision in both directions, even on a one way.  Well - unless you're up to winning a Darwin Award.

By the way, if you really think that you're "In The Right" and insist on walking in front of a vehicle in a crosswalk and get hit and end up in the hospital, unlike the West, you'll more than likely end up paying for most of your own hospital bills and there isn't going to be any civil suit where you get paid for your "pain and suffering."  This ain't Kansas anymore Toto.

-

[impulse]

It may be the law.  But if that law was enforced, no traffic would ever move here...  It's the red lights that convey right of way, not the zebra crossings.

 

 

 

[bradiston]

On 9/22/2024 at 1:51 PM, JBChiangRai said:

What’s a bulge?

A Bulgarian? A Belgian?

Edited 47 minutes ago by bradiston

[bradiston]

In the UK I believe there's no overtaking on a pedestrian crossing. So you have to follow the car in front or beside you. I once went past a police car in just such a situation. I got a serious dressing down as I was a cabbie and expected to know better. Pedestrian crossings in the UK used to have flashing orange lights (Belisha beacons) on each side of the road which were a great help to pedestrians in locating a crossing and to motorists to slow down as a precaution. I reckon they're essential for the safety of everybody but sadly are few and far between in Thailand. Crossings with traffic lights were known as pedestrian controlled crossings. You had to press a button and wait for the lights to change to red. Again, a safety feature.

Edited 29 minutes ago by bradiston