Accident Thailand's Grim Motorcycle Death Toll Sparks Helmet Campaign

[cynic1]

I've got no words to say on this topic as it repeats every year, after year and after year.The feedback is the same. Yet no action to resolve the problem occurs. A week after this topic all will be just a fading sad memory.

 

The real solution lies with the government doing something. In short they should pull their finger out of their fat a,ss. A good start would be something like a road safety committee or a traffic safety commission. For example, there is the Joint Select Committee on Road Safety in Australia, which examines strategies to improve road safety and reduce accidents.

[NatureFilm]

14.000 motorcycle accidents alone , and Covid about 10 per month. But many belive, Covid is the more pressing problem. Humans are stupid.

[lordgrinz]

11 minutes ago, cynic1 said:

The real solution lies with the government doing something. In short they should pull their finger out of their fat a,ss. A good start would be something like a road safety committee or a traffic safety commission. For example, there is the Joint Select Committee on Road Safety in Australia, which examines strategies to improve road safety and reduce accidents.

 

There was, the WHO had recommendations, and as usual......Thailand ignored them, and continues the carnage, TIT.

https://www.who.int/thailand/activities/ccs-roadsafety

 

Quote

According to the Third Global Status Report on Road Safety, Thailand has the second highest road traffic fatality rate in the world. Vulnerable road users including motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists comprise 83% of the fatality. While Thailand is a signatory to Decade of Action for Road Safety and has a national plan in place, the country has seen minimal decrease in road traffic mortalities, from 38.1 per 100 000 population in the Second Global Status Report on Road Safety (2013) to 36.2 in the Third report (2015).

 

[NorthernRyland]

4 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

One of the main reasons I hate this country.....Its "culture".

 

Half of Thai culture is very lovely but the other half is mental.

[Geir Rasch]

Read that the fine for not wearing a helmet is set to 2.000 bath. But that does not help when there is no police out on the street to uphold the law. On the countryside I hardly haven't seen any biker using a helmet.

[spidermike007]

5 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

They believe in fate, not safety. Which explains their every move, you'd be more likely to sell them more Amulets before convincing them of the safety merits of helmets or proper driving education.

That is a very deep thought and one I'm going to have to ponder for a while, you very well might be on to something quite profound there. 

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Half of Thai culture is very lovely but the other half is mental.

There is a lot of truth to that at least that's the way it appears to us, but I continue to remind myself that this is one of the things I love about the place, it's so incomprehensible on so many levels, it somehow just keeps me coming back for more. 

 

If I wanted easily comprehensible I would have stayed in the US, but I would have been bored to death. 

[Mangkhut]

7 hours ago, Big Bert said:

Some idiot on Facebook yesterday said he not allow his 2 boys to wear helmets as they will get bullied at school. Also he has survived 3 head injuries from accidents so it ok.

This is the mind set they are dealing with.

He probably wore his lucky amulet ya know….😆😆😆😆

[trainman34014]

What is expected when nobody is taught to ride properly from the start and there is no Law Enforcement.   A Lady i knew here had been riding Bikes and Scooters for almost 30 years when she decided to get a License, not because she felt morally oblidged to do so or for safety reasons but because she was tired of paying 200 Baht a time Tea Money.  Even then, she failed it twice even with all her riding experience until she was 'helped' by the Staff the thrid time.  The reason she failed so miserably was because , as she admitted, she just didn't know the rules.   In a lot of ways they just don't stand a chance because of the Culture they grow up with and i can't see that ever changing as 

'The Powers That Be' are just not interested !

[barrybike]

The government need to put a stop to this , it’s not a big job to wear a damn helmet , it needs to be preached from school level & have a campaign on tv every day , I know people in Thailand that won’t even wear a seat belt & thet   use a thing to put in it to stop the cars sensor from beeping while they drive , police need to do their job too & stop every rider that  is not wearing a helmet , Also throw away those fake stupid plastic helmets they are useless , I cannot understand the stupidity really baffles me , you only  have  one head & it’s the first thing to hit the ground when you fall off a motorbike so cop on and start wearing those helmets please !! 

[impulse]

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

While some of what you're saying is true many of us love riding motorbikes, so we wear as good a helmet as we can afford, and we drive as safely as we can possibly drive, which means driving very defensively and maintaining a safe speed. 

 

I have zero objection to that.  I do stuff all the time that puts me at some increased risk, including taking scooter taxis when it makes sense.  And some outdoor activities that the super safe (nanny) people recommend against.  Like solo hiking, solo kayaking, SCUBA, marathon roadtrips, and a lot of others.

 

I just object to the gyrations that people will go through to convince themselves (and others) that their decisions don't put them at increased risk.  Riding a scooter is more dangerous that driving a car.  With or without a helmet. There's nothing wrong with choosing that risk if that floats your boat.

 

(And the 99 baht Big C plastic helmets on offer from a lot of the scooter taxis are just a little less than useless except to pass a police checkpoint.  They won't protect your head.)

 

[lordgrinz]

16 minutes ago, impulse said:

(And the 99 baht Big C plastic helmets on offer from a lot of the scooter taxis are just a little less than useless except to pass a police checkpoint.  They won't protect your head.)

 

Except there is a Thai minimum helmet certification, those wouldn't even have it. So again, it's really a lack of enforcement by the useless and incompetent RTP.

[IsaanGuy]

The figures are truly horrific but the report also conveniently doesn’t mention how many accidents were related to alcohol.

 Unfortunately I don’t have high expectations. The police should be the ones promoting road safety, but as seen many times before, they fail in their role and rely on little brown envelopes to ensure they avoid doing their job properly.

[Grusa]

6 hours ago, Surasak said:

"The financial burden of treating these injuries totalled 7.827 billion baht, with motorcycle-related injuries responsible for 80% of these costs."

That is a lot of cash, so one has to assume it is the cash amount, driving this helmet awareness campaign? It certainly doesn't appear to be in concern for the motorcyclist. 

The rainy season contributes to at least 20% of these 'accidents', because of the state of the roads. Riding in the rain is an art in itself, but having to dodge POTHOLES, or be thrown off because of them, is the responsibility of the local government. At least 50% of the problem is down to the serious lack of rider training, the responsibility of the main government. And the last 30%? Laid squarely at the feet of the police. Why! Well we all know they are about as much use as BOOBS ON A FISH!

I could go on, but the dent I was intent on making in the brick wall, is not working as planned. 

Oh sorry! its not a fish!

 

[cardinalblue]

Poor and illegal driving behavior causes the accidents in the first place…OSHA helmets only reduce medical injuries or prevent death in some cases 

 

two road systems exist on Thai roads….riders need to abide by auto regulations and have one road system 

 

why in the hell do riders go to the front of the line on u turns? And block the view and decision making of the auto driver? It makes no driving sense…u turns are all about judgement of speed and distance and riders lack good judgement…wait your turn 

 

things need to change or these nameless faceless souls will continue to die or end up with brain injuries…they are expendable 

[willip]

It is astounding the incompetence of motorcycles/ sidecar drivers. It's as though there is no fear of dying. Is one of the reasons they are allowed to use motorcycles to go to school?. In my village I've seen youngsters as young as 8yrs. Also when anyone wants to turn right 'they're on the wrong side '.so is it a case of mum/dad/ grandma does it this way this includes bicycles. I guarantee you'll see some idiot driving on the wrong side every day. Look at the level of standards of the driving schools?. Seems you've only to have a pulse to pass. I personally know people/families that purchased their license. I read that someone suggested confiscate vehicles for some violations. I agree!. People who have no insurance automatic confiscate/ban. I've never heard of this happening to anyone. I've also heard that the police are on a commission for fines?? I don't know  if there is any truth in this but one thing for sure is. My wife is always right.  No the police won't be out 'it's raining ' it's not time for the police to be out. Oh it's the end of the month 'time to get the quotations up.the police are always expected at times of the day/year etc. So change it!. Start caring about your job before corruption, even though your senior officer's don't take notice of this. NO insurance should be automatic confiscate/ban.

[willip]

15 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I think they need a new campaign, one where they callout the people who disobey the laws of their country and King. They should be shamed in front of others for their misdeeds, remind them whose name is signed to the top of the Traffic Act. Then hit them with the 112 law when they choose to ignore those very laws his majesty has signed off on.

Totally agree 👍. Zebra crossing's?? Another one!

[willip]

14 hours ago, ChrisKC said:

And so it goes on!!

 

In 22 years of living here in a few parts of Thailand, a whole generation and more has grown up with the same culture of irresponsibility and couldn't care less" by those you could have simply done their jobs!

 

Unless the "Campaign" starts now - is all over Thailand, all day, every day, for the next five years, nothing will change.

 

And the Government will make tons of money!!

 

And save lives!

 

Yes, I know, I will be writing it all again next year!

Perfectly put.

[grubman]

18 hours ago, Big Bert said:

Some idiot on Facebook yesterday said he not allow his 2 boys to wear helmets as they will get bullied at school. Also he has survived 3 head injuries from accidents so it ok.

This is the mind set they are dealing with.

This is where the education of wearing helmets should start, in schools, have classes for road safety and teach the kid about the damage that not wearing a helmet can cause, i am sure if it was part of the curriculum it would be a good start, but the schools system don't care less.  

[rattlesnake]

17 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

They believe in fate, not safety. Which explains their every move, you'd be more likely to sell them more Amulets before convincing them of the safety merits of helmets or proper driving education.

 

100% this. And it won't change anytime soon.

[Luuk Chaai]

19 hours ago, Thumbs said:

. If police were simply to to fine and then impound every bike until rider returns with a helmet people would quickly start wearing a helmet rather than the 5km walk home. Problem is these checks are carried out in the towns while the countryside remains like the wild west.

 

fine and then impound every bike until rider returns with a helmet ...  Exactly.  100% the way to go

I told my wife yesterday ,,  if I was a local police officer.. I could generate 100,000 baht every hour just in little old Pranburi

she laughed at me and said that would mean a police officer  would actually have to do something.. there's nothing in it for them so......... forget it

[spidermike007]

16 hours ago, impulse said:

 

I have zero objection to that.  I do stuff all the time that puts me at some increased risk, including taking scooter taxis when it makes sense.  And some outdoor activities that the super safe (nanny) people recommend against.  Like solo hiking, solo kayaking, SCUBA, marathon roadtrips, and a lot of others.

 

I just object to the gyrations that people will go through to convince themselves (and others) that their decisions don't put them at increased risk.  Riding a scooter is more dangerous that driving a car.  With or without a helmet. There's nothing wrong with choosing that risk if that floats your boat.

 

(And the 99 baht Big C plastic helmets on offer from a lot of the scooter taxis are just a little less than useless except to pass a police checkpoint.  They won't protect your head.)

 

What you say makes a lot of sense and I totally agree, we should always wear the best helmet we can afford, one that will survive a significant impact. Those cheap helmets will crack like an eggshell with even a minor impact, and that leaves your skull fully exposed. Even the slightest impact to your skull in the wrong spot could spell either instant death or a lifelong disability. 

 

So I asked my question once again, is your life complicated enough without a broken skull? 

[Kenneth White]

Unless you teach these moron riding skills helments won't help. There is a lane for motorbikes, stay in it. I see that many bikers do things that not only jeopardize their own lives but also those of others. I think bikers is the wrong word to use. Bikers have riding skills.

[impulse]

17 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

What you say makes a lot of sense and I totally agree, we should always wear the best helmet we can afford, one that will survive a significant impact. Those cheap helmets will crack like an eggshell with even a minor impact, and that leaves your skull fully exposed. Even the slightest impact to your skull in the wrong spot could spell either instant death or a lifelong disability. 

 

So I asked my question once again, is your life complicated enough without a broken skull? 

 

That's why I actually bought a scooter (2nd hand), rode it around Asoke for a week, then parked it for the next 5 years.  I gave it to a Thai friend when I left LOS after my job ended.  Helmet or no, it wasn't worth the risk to me. 

 

I still took scooter taxis when it made sense, but only when it saved enough time to justify the risk. 

 

And I didn't tie myself up into a pretzel justifying why it was okay to take a scooter if I just wore a good helmet. The statistics say that's not the case.

 

[quake]

Nice to see the AN drama queens out and about.