Lax Law Enforcement Cited for Alarming Road Fatalities in Thailand

[webfact]

File photo

 

Advocates are raising concerns about insufficient enforcement of road safety laws, which they believe is significantly contributing to Thailand's staggering road fatality rate. On average, the country registers around 48 road deaths daily.

 

Speaking at a recent event marking the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, advocates pressed for immediate improvements in law enforcement.

 

The event, supported by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation at the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre, threw light on Thailand's grim statistics. Last year alone, 17,498 people lost their lives in traffic accidents, illustrating a dire need for changes to road safety regulations.

 

Surachai Liengboonlertchai, who chairs a parliamentary road safety subcommittee, stressed the importance of remembering victims and pushing for systemic changes to prevent future tragedies.

 

The call for action is echoed by Ratchanee Supawatjariyakul, president of the Road Traffic Accident Victims Empowerment Network, who has personally been affected by these statistics. She lost her daughter to a road accident involving an off-duty police officer in early 2022.

Advocates argue for tougher amendments to the Land Traffic Act and the Vehicles Act to deter violators through harsher penalties and faster legal processes. Revising how driver's licences are issued, with more stringent tests, is also recommended.

 

Key proposals include capping speed limits in urban areas at 50 km/h, increasing fines for motorists who neglect pedestrian crossings, and penalising motorcyclists who invade pavements. Additionally, tighter penalties for drink-driving offenders are urged to include both imprisonment and fines.

 

Joining the discourse, Dr Withid Sariddeechaikool of the Food and Drug Administration cautioned drivers against medications that impair alertness, contributing to Thailand's ranking as having the ninth-highest rate of road traffic accidents globally.

 

Such holistic attempts aim to curb the nation’s distressing road fatality statistics effectively, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-11-18

 

 

[RSD1]

Hub of road deaths. Be good or be good at it. 

[bkk6060]

Frustrating and very stupid.  What about the drivers?  It is all about educating people when they are in the 6th grade.  Then, continuing until they reach driving age.  Add, the engineering of the roadways.

The Cops could do more, but can only do so much the Thai drivers are totally uneducated about safe driving.  I bet many of thee accidents are follwing too closely and running red lights.  Following someone at 1 metere while driving 120 is a death trap they are so clueless.  Sadly, I doubt it will ever change I just stay to the left and driver very cautiously.

[Mason45]

Over the years one thing I've noticed is when Thais are driving and they start talking to the passenger opposite them they take their eyes off the road. That's dangerous in itself but when doing so they never reduce their speed. Another thing people here must know is Thais have a mindset of the own. Policing, road signs even road trauma commercials on all forms of media won't change the way they think.

[willip]

What has immigration got to do with licensing?  Thailand policy of fines for breaking the laws for driving, is based on the police receiving money!. Not dealing with bad drivers.  From what I see in khon kaen.  Zebra crossing's are for parking on. How many schools stop children driving to school?  None. I saw 4 children on a motorcycle  the oldest was 10. That was the driver! Everyone when turning right are on the wrong side of the road.  Especially cyclist! . Everyone knows what time the police have road checks because they never vary. It's all about income! Not safety. The incident with the nurse evolved a policeman!.  Both were professionals. Hence had money and were pursued.  Soon forgotten. Enforcement of driving standards are needed for all ages. Not just an income off tourists. I've seen the driving standards for licensing.  It's far below the western world. Private schools for driving are far better than government testing. If someone is driving and doesn't have a license.  It should be emediate ban! No license means no insurance!. Not just a fine !get them off the road altogether. If a driving gets a fine it covers you for 24hrs.  No sop this procedure. If you break the law. Make it for each offence. And have top up offence's. HGV lorry licensing is the same as small car's.  It should be stricter! As the same for anything driving comersially. Your policies for cannabis is incouraging violations for offence's. START with improving the tests for driving. As we all know corruption is everywhere.  Start with driving if you really mean to improve things. 

Someone asked a police officer about schools letting children use motorcycles. He replied how else are they going to get there?????. Start with the schools and enforce underage driving!!!!

[Rampant Rabbit]

Having spent 4  months in the UK and seeing the ridiculous speed limits especially in Wales where you can go from 60mph (100kmh) to 20mph (32kmh)  then to 40mph to 60mph in the space of a few hundred yards and  for going over that by 4mph = ticket and 4500 baht fine + 3  points on licence Im ALL for a  lax  approach and long.........long may it continue.

Many of the speeding laws are there to catch the total moron driver who goes fast past a  school at 4pm and ends up catching the guy doing 10-20mph  over at 3am in the morning.

The real problem is not the speed its the total an utter lack of concentration.

Anyway I for one  hope it doesnt become like Europe..............just re taxed the car yet again with unpaid speeding tickets.

[willip]

2 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Frustrating and very stupid.  What about the drivers?  It is all about educating people when they are in the 6th grade.  Then, continuing until they reach driving age.  Add, the engineering of the roadways.

The Cops could do more, but can only do so much the Thai drivers are totally uneducated about safe driving.  I bet many of thee accidents are follwing too closely and running red lights.  Following someone at 1 metere while driving 120 is a death trap they are so clueless.  Sadly, I doubt it will ever change I just stay to the left and driver very cautiously.

You're so right ✅️ 

[itsari]

Nothing will change the 48 a day death total on Thai roads for a long time.

Only yesterday I saw a mother breast feeding her baby on the back of a motorbike travelling at speed. 

[kwilco]

there's little hope when even the advocates of road safety can't get it right - yet the information is out there both internationally and in Thailand.

[kwilco]

1 hour ago, Mason45 said:

Over the years one thing I've noticed is when Thais are driving and they start talking to the passenger opposite them they take their eyes off the road. That's dangerous in itself but when doing so they never reduce their speed. Another thing people here must know is Thais have a mindset of the own. Policing, road signs even road trauma commercials on all forms of media won't change the way they think.

so that's you cure for Thailand's road safety problems - a sweeping racist generalisation?

[watchcat]

34 minutes ago, itsari said:

Only yesterday I saw a mother breast feeding her baby on the back of a motorbike travelling at speed. 

 

At least she wasn't driving.

[harryviking]

There should be more civilian police cars on the highway to take away those worst sinners there! Maniacs threatening the lives of many that should be taken away from traffic ASAP! I never see any such actions on Thai roads. Police not to be seen anywhere!  

[Mason45]

12 minutes ago, kwilco said:

so that's you cure for Thailand's road safety problems - a sweeping racist generalisation?

What's racist about what I said? It's certainly not a cure but if people kept their eyes on the road, it would help in reducing the road toll. As for changing the Thai mindset, that needs to start within families and that's simply not going to happen. In most countries there is always police presence, so where do the BIB's get to every day. Last Saturday I drove from Pattaya to Korat and I returned on Sunday, I never seen a police car or a road block all the way there or on my return.

[Theforgotten1]

Nothing will change until somebody’s child who is a very high  elite is killed on the road 

[Lacessit]

Police law enforcement is not lax, it's non-existent. The police function seems to be collecting fines on expired registrations and helmetless Thais at checkpoints, or on the occasionally functioning speed cameras.

 

In 12 years of driving here, I have yet to see a police car or motorcycle actively pulling over a motorist.

 

Getting off their @rses would be a good start.

[ChipButty]

46 minutes ago, itsari said:

Nothing will change the 48 a day death total on Thai roads for a long time.

Only yesterday I saw a mother breast feeding her baby on the back of a motorbike travelling at speed. 

Did you get a photo? 

[quake]

Will never change, as  the people don't want to change.

On many issues.

Carry on Thailand. 

 

 

 

[Bobthegimp]

Govern me harder, daddy.  Force the bad people to wear masks and inject them with experimental fluids against their will.  

 

Sound crazy? It's the same mentality on display.  Leave that mentality at home, the rest of us can fend for ourselves. 

[ikke1959]

The result of no driving education, no enforcement of laws, not working RTP and the unawareness of the drivers and the corruption...It will take some generations to solve this problem... Thailand still is not in the 21st century, with their culture.. Things need  to change

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Advocates are raising concerns about insufficient enforcement of road safety laws, which they believe is significantly contributing to Thailand's staggering road fatality rate. On average, the country registers around 48 road deaths daily.

It starts with real driving schools with qualified instructors, it then proceeds with an independent test instructor as and when they think the student is ready. This includes detailed questions on the highway code and laws.

Lessons include all aspects of driving, parking, on rural roads and expressways. Also night time driving must be included.

After passing a test they are to show an "L" plate which signifies they are a learner driver for a period of one year. So other drivers give them some distance while they accumulate experience.

Then we just need police to their job

[loong]

I don't know how it can be changed, but this attitude of total lack of any kind of consideration for others when driving as well as in all other aspects of life needs to be changed

[NorthernRyland]

4 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

The Cops could do more, but can only do so much the Thai drivers are totally uneducated about safe driving.

This is the biggest misconception. They have no self control, are unable to do simple risk/benefit analysis, don't care if they maybe die if it means not having to slow down and suffer that level of frustration. 

 

Only solution is mass policing and keeping dangerous people off the road by force. This of course will never happen because the police are Thai people also and have the same level of indifference to the problem.

[OneMoreFarang]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Advocates are raising concerns about insufficient enforcement of road safety laws, which they believe is significantly contributing to Thailand's staggering road fatality rate.

 

Really? How long are those advocates concerned already?

For the rest of us, this was and is obvious since decades.

What do you expect from a lazy corrupt police force? Nothing!

[quake]

16 minutes ago, loong said:

I don't know how it can be changed, but this attitude of total lack of any kind of consideration for others when driving as well as in all other aspects of life needs to be changed

 

There culture can be very inward facing.

Me, Me, and More Me.

It's Just not going to change. 

 

 

[itsari]

31 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Did you get a photo? 

Thought crossed my mind but tricky to do while riding a scooter.

[chiman]

18 years on the road here. It’s a combination of many problems.  A poorly educated population, weak road tests, poorly designed roads / especially areas of change, motorbikes, psychos in luxury cars.  Need a real highway patrol 

[itsari]

47 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 

At least she wasn't driving.

True, but the baby never had a helmet on.

[Asquith Production]

The drivers here have no observation. Mirrors are for checking your hair.

Drivers have no anticipation. Nothing can happen to me all these amulets that block the windscreen will protect me.

Drivers have no consideration. I am bigger and faster than him so he should get out of my way.

[AhFarangJa]

These speakers should be on mastermind, specialist subject 'The Bleedin' obvious', It will never change due to the Thai mindset of me,me,me. Drove from Surin to Hua Hin, and back. 1240 km. Never saw an active policeman, yet was constantly in contact with overloaded pick ups hogging the right lane, Trucks & buses pulling out directly in front of me, kamikaze motorbikers everywhere you turn, the list is endless. Condescending platitudes from numerous committee's, symposiums, etc will do nothing. You would need to set the clock to zero, and start again from the first born for any difference to be made. All you can do is be aware, and do what I was taught when learning in the early 70's............Treat every other driver on the road as an idiot who may do the unthinkable without warning.

[OldmanJ]

They can try to increase the fines all they want but where is a police presence on the road, there is no one to enforce the present laws.And why is it %99 of the time a incident is seen as a foreigners fault,this behavior must stop.