Just another day crossing the road...

[brewsterbudgen]

 

 

[Digitalbanana]

Defies the imagination how someone can walk across a road like this, with no stop lights at the crossing, and not look out for traffic.

[brewsterbudgen]

3 minutes ago, Digitalbanana said:

Defies the imagination how someone can walk across a road like this, with no stop lights at the crossing, and not look out for traffic.

 

At least she got up at the end.  Hope she was OK.

[JBChiangRai]

She did nothing wrong.

[G_Money]

The rule of gross tonnage wins every time.

 

Especially in Thailand.

Edited November 4 by G_Money

[richard_smith237]

23 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

She did nothing wrong.

 

Legally....  

 

However, in the interest of self preservation she could have at least looked.

 

Thats not to victim blame, of course... 100% the motorcylist - legally at fault. 

 

 

However, those who walk around, not only in Thailand, but even in Western Countries such as the UK without any regard for their own safety can hold themselves personally complicit if they are hit by something because they were not paying attention. 

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

20 minutes ago, G_Money said:

The rule of gross tonnage wins every time.

 

Especially in Thailand.

 

Indeed...  Sometimes its difficult to see these crossing when splitting traffic... 

 

But... when riding a motorcycle and all other vehicle have stopped - any rider with a sense of defensive riding also stops, who knows why the car traffic has stopped so its taking a huge risk to continue on past at speed... this is a perfect example of Thai Riding (and often driving)... where observation is somewhat lacking.

 

There is also the cultural facet were stopping is often the last resort for most driving and riding - thus I'd agree with those, who in other threads have suggested that all Pedestrian Crossing should be 'controlled by traffic lights'....

 

I know the example of the light controlled pedestrian crossings in Pattaya will be used and that everyone ignores the lights anyway (even police)...  But really, this is a measure of how uncivilised a location can be - the Police really should be held to greater account for doing their job.

 

 

[G_Money]

12 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Indeed...  Sometimes its difficult to see these crossing when splitting traffic... 

 

But... when riding a motorcycle and all other vehicle have stopped - any rider with a sense of defensive riding also stops, who knows why the car traffic has stopped so its taking a huge risk to continue on past at speed... this is a perfect example of Thai Riding (and often driving)... where observation is somewhat lacking.

 

There is also the cultural facet were stopping is often the last resort for most driving and riding - thus I'd agree with those, who in other threads have suggested that all Pedestrian Crossing should be 'controlled by traffic lights'....

 

I know the example of the light controlled pedestrian crossings in Pattaya will be used and that everyone ignores the lights anyway (even police)...  But really, this is a measure of how uncivilised a location can be - the Police really should be held to greater account for doing their job.

 

 

I agree with what you said.

 

Right of way means nothing at those zebra crossings.  I view them as recommendations and consider myself fortunate if all goes according to plan.

 

Proceed with caution even if others have stopped.  
 

It appeared she proceeded without looking at the lane of the fast motorbike.

 

I’ve learned to look both ways crossing a one way street for the motorbike driver going against traffic.  TIT.

 

 

[Srikcir]

13 hours ago, G_Money said:

I’ve learned to look both ways crossing a one way street for the motorbike driver going against traffic.

I also wave my hands towards any oncoming vehicles in both directions like a "hello see me." The idea is people in cars and motor bikes may be focused looking further beyond the crosswalk or memorized by heavy or fast traffic that they don't mentally "see" the occupied cross walk.

[G_Money]

2 hours ago, Srikcir said:

I also wave my hands towards any oncoming vehicles in both directions like a "hello see me." The idea is people in cars and motor bikes may be focused looking further beyond the crosswalk or memorized by heavy or fast traffic that they don't mentally "see" the occupied cross walk.

That and being on their phones.

[OneManShow]

Takes years for many to learn what those "lines" are for, even though in "Red". 
Lack of enforcement make it way longer. 

[mdr224]

Crossing like that even more dangerous for tourists who grew up in civilized countries and arent aware that things like this can even happen

[Hermes Live]

I thought that it became a law that pedestrians had the right of way at pedestrian crossings - maybe I am wrong?

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, Hermes Live said:

I thought that it became a law that pedestrians had the right of way at pedestrian crossings - maybe I am wrong?

 

In Thailand, it has always been the law that pedestrians have the right of way at crossings. Yet, it often takes the tragic death of someone deemed 'important' or an incident that stirs sufficient media and social media attention for a 'crackdown' to be declared.

 

This pattern repeats across many similar issues in Thailand. The laws themselves are typically sound, but it is the pervasive disregard for these laws and the widespread apathy in their enforcement by authorities (especially the Police) that allow such problems to persist unchecked.

 

Only when a significant figure is affected, or when public outrage reaches a peak, do we see a momentary 'crackdowns' announced as someone in a position of authorite makes their public statement...   we may then witness brief flashes of adherence to the laws in certain areas that fade just as quickly as they arise.

 

[Confuscious]

5 hours ago, OneManShow said:

Takes years for many to learn what those "lines" are for, even though in "Red". 
Lack of enforcement make it way longer. 

As long as the fines for offending the traffic rules are laughable at, nothing will change.
All the traffic fines, or at least the ones that caused bodily injures, should be 5-fold of what they are today.
And no "OR".
If there is a punishment with jail, the jail term shall be prioritized.

[BangkokReady]

On 11/4/2024 at 3:01 PM, richard_smith237 said:

However, in the interest of self preservation she could have at least looked.

 

Even that might not have saved her.  Thai motorcyclists typically ride at high speed and swerve/weave through traffic without looking, rather than stopping, when their lane becomes slow or blocks.  The guy who hit her may have been in a different lane until the last minute (although he does appear to be going straight).

[BangkokReady]

On 11/4/2024 at 2:21 PM, Digitalbanana said:

Defies the imagination how someone can walk across a road like this, with no stop lights at the crossing, and not look out for traffic.

 

Possibly a tourist.  Thais should know that crossings are generally meaningless in Thailand.

[Lucky Bones]

On 11/4/2024 at 6:20 PM, G_Money said:

The rule of gross tonnage wins every time.

 

Especially in Thailand.

Correct. Rule #1.🙃🙃

[richard_smith237]

4 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Possibly a tourist.  Thais should know that crossings are generally meaningless in Thailand.

 

.. Yet, the most notable pedestrian crossing tragedy in recent memory was the death of a Thai doctor, which swiftly prompted a nationwide 'crackdown'. However, this heightened awareness was followed mere weeks later by the death of an elderly Thai woman, struck by a bus at a crossing.

 

It could be argued that when it comes to self-preservation, Thai citizens appear to exercise less caution than tourists, and markedly less so than Western expatriates - certainly when looking at the behavior motorcyclist this would appear true.

 

[richard_smith237]

23 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

Even that might not have saved her.  Thai motorcyclists typically ride at high speed and swerve/weave through traffic without looking, rather than stopping, when their lane becomes slow or blocks.  The guy who hit her may have been in a different lane until the last minute (although he does appear to be going straight).

 

Possible, if your implication is that a vehicle could obstruct line of sight to approaching  lunatics swerving out at the last second... 

.... However, not looking at all is a distant cry from being on heightened alert when crossing a road... 

 

 

 

------

 

The only time I've nearly been hit on a crossing..

- A box van didn't want to completely stop, while all other traffic had stopped for the crossing, the box van slowed, but didn't stop trying to 'time my crossing' as he approached so he didn't have to stop... a large wing mirror clipped me.

Stupidly, in anger I kicked the side of the Van... I was furious.. the drive stopped, got out, looked at me and got back in his van and drove off...   (I was lucky he wasn't more of a nutter).

 

- Another time, crossing with my Son, all traffic stopped, a taxi driver didn't like that we were on the crossing so blasted his horn and didn't want to stop... 

... I waved annoyance with my arm (not the middle finger or anything like that), but that was still enough to annoy the taxi driver... he skidded to a halt, abandoned his taxi in the middle of the road (ekammai) and got out... I was with my Son (about 5 years old) and was not about to get into a fight, so I just continue on.

 

Point here - is the are lunatics about, the authorities do nowhere near enough to ensure that ALL drivers of any vehicles know they will face serious penalties for not stopping for pedestrians.... 

 

 

 

[Jumbo1968]

On 11/5/2024 at 11:07 AM, OneManShow said:

Takes years for many to learn what those "lines" are for, even though in "Red". 
Lack of enforcement make it way longer. 

If you asked mist people what the red and white crossings mean they couldn’t tell you, it’s safer to cross at other places, I avoid them. Even the ones controlled by lights get ignored by drivers.

[James9999]

On 11/4/2024 at 8:01 AM, richard_smith237 said:

 

Legally....  

 

However, in the interest of self preservation she could have at least looked.

 

Thats not to victim blame, of course... 100% the motorcylist - legally at fault. 

 

 

However, those who walk around, not only in Thailand, but even in Western Countries such as the UK without any regard for their own safety can hold themselves personally complicit if they are hit by something because they were not paying attention. 

 

 

 

 

In the the UK very few cyclists bother to stop at red lights at junctions or crossings or zebra crossings. Is it the pedestrians responsibility to look out for cyclists illegally proceeding when they shouldn't or for the cyclist to actually stop? It shouldn't be the pedestrian's fault when road users are driving or riding illegally.

[James9999]

On 11/4/2024 at 7:21 AM, Digitalbanana said:

Defies the imagination how someone can walk across a road like this, with no stop lights at the crossing, and not look out for traffic.

Defies the imagination how somebody can just ride across a pedestrian crossing when they can see that all the other traffic has STOPPED and not look out for a pedestrian crossing.

[rattlesnake]

And that is why I don't stop at zebra crossings in Thailand if there are cars arriving behind me. You encourage people to cross and this happens.

Slow down, be prepared to brake but do not stop.

[novacova]

On 11/4/2024 at 2:21 PM, Digitalbanana said:

Defies the imagination how someone can walk across a road like this, with no stop lights at the crossing, and not look out for traffic.

Chinese tourists do it every day here in cm, they just wonder out into the roadways without looking. I’m surprised more of them don’t get smacked more often.

[Nemises]

 

 

[Digitalbanana]

On 11/4/2024 at 2:21 PM, Digitalbanana said:

Defies the imagination how someone can walk across a road like this, with no stop lights at the crossing, and not look out for traffic.

Judging by the confused and sad emoji reactions, there must be a lot of people who walk across roads without looking out for traffic. When I was a child I was taught to look left, right and look again before crossing a road, no matter what color the lights are if any. I notice my own children do the same as a natural instinct.

[Hamus Yaigh]

On 11/5/2024 at 4:33 PM, BangkokReady said:

Possibly a tourist.  Thais should know that crossings are generally meaningless in Thailand.

Surely it should be an animal instinct to check ones own safety. Even dogs look both ways in Thailand before crossing the road.

[georgegeorgia]

4 hours ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Surely it should be an animal instinct to check ones own safety. Even dogs look both ways in Thailand before crossing the road.

This fine lil ol  wisdom is coming from the man who had no idea there was farang doctor in Thailand,

oh Haimus to be sure to be sure ! 😁 Thanks for telling us Pop

Edited November 7 by georgegeorgia

[richard_smith237]

12 hours ago, James9999 said:

In the the UK very few cyclists bother to stop at red lights at junctions or crossings or zebra crossings. Is it the pedestrians responsibility to look out for cyclists illegally proceeding when they shouldn't or for the cyclist to actually stop? It shouldn't be the pedestrian's fault when road users are driving or riding illegally.

 

I agree...  and if a cyclist hits a pedestrian at a crossing in the UK, they are held responsible (even if the pedestrain is not paying attention - but I think there are also other variables at play too).

 

Its a separate point: but its a valid arguement that ALL road users should have insurance...  which can pay out for 'at fault damages' and compensation. 

 

Imagine getting hit by a cyclist at a crossing and you can no long work ?  

 

 

In Thaiand, if you are hit by an uninsured motoryclist ?... 

I can't get 'workers comp insurance' directly, but have it with the company I am currently working for (which pays up to 12 months max of missed work)...

... but if an uninsured motorcyclist seriously injurs me at a crossing ?

... or even a car...   

 

Will they pay out for loss of earnings if I can't work - if they have no money and aren't insured - there is nothing to get anyway ?...    life is full of risks, but the absensce of effective policing makes these risks and also consequences far greater.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 7 by richard_smith237